Threat to workers

Press, 21 August 1982, Page 6

Threat to workers

PA . Wellington The Government had threatened to begin suspending workers if they cannot obtain supplies to continue work because of bans imposed by storemen. said the Public Service Association's general secretary. Mr Barry Tucker, yesterday.

The bans have been imposed by the 800 Government storemen in protest about delays in implementing pay adjustments as a result of the review of their gradings. The review was made as a condition of pay negotiations

but the State Services Commission has argued that the review cannot be implemented because of the wage freeze. The P.S.A.' has argued that the freeze does not apply. Talks between it and the Minister of State Services. Mr Thomson, were held yesterday morning but no progress was made, said Mr Tucker.

He said that Mr Thomson had said that if there was any doubt about the effect of the regulations, they would be amended to ensure that the adjustments could not be made.

The P.S.A. had a legal opinion saying that such a move was possible and the Government had one saying the opposite. Therefore the - Government would amend the regulations to remove any doubt. Mr Thomson said there had been “some mutterings" about the group involved taking industrial action. “I just warned them that if it was taken in defiance of the law I would ask the Governor-General by Order-in-Council to bring into effect part eight of the State; Service Conditions of Employment Act." he said. That meant the State Services Commission would be able to start suspending, without pay, people whose daily work was being prevented because of the industrial action.