Concern about move on milkboys’ wages

Press, 11 June 1982, Page 13

Concern about move on milkboys’ wages

PA Wellington' ■Milk vendors are concerned about the Drivers Federation's intention to negotiate wage rates on behalf of milk boys. The secretarv of the Drivers' Union.' Mr Stuart McCaffley, and its advocate. Mr R. J. Campbell, have met vendors' representatives. Mr Campbell said that an Arbitration Court decision, given in Palmerston North on March 5. had established coverage for workers employed by milk vendors as belonging' to the drivers' union. "The national council of the Drivers’ Federation met recently and resolved to enforce that coverage." he said. "This will mean a need to negotiate with the milk vendors for a new agreement which covers drivers and people, including children.

employed to assist the driver. "Obviously, we will ensure that proper safety procedures are part of' such an agreement," Mr Campbell said. Milk vendors spoken to opposed the idea of the Drivers’ Federation negotiating on behalf of their employees. Vendors who are members of the National Union of Milk Vendors pointed out they saw themselves as employees of the Milk Board as evidenced by their affiliation to the Federation of Labour. One man. who like his colieagues preferred to remain anonymous, pointed to the figure, of $127.55 — the lowest wage rate paid to a driver’s assistant under the Drivers’ Award — and said it would be impossible for vendors to pay this amount to their bovs.