Govt storemen’s claims thwarted

Press, 28 August 1982, Page 6

Govt storemen’s claims thwarted

PA Wellington Government storekeepers and employment officers have stopped taking any further action, at least in the meantime, to pursue their outstanding pay claims which have been thwarted by the wage freeze. The 800 storemen, who have recently been .taking industrial action in protest about the Government's refusal to allow a review of their wages, met throughout New Zealand yesterday. They were believed to have been given a recommendation by the Combined State Unions' executive to withdraw in view of the Government’s action in closing off all possible avenues for their claim to be met.

The C.S.U. advised them that they should be prepared to support any general union fight against the freeze. The Public Service 'Association’s general secretary, Mr Colin Clark, said the latest amendments to the Wage Freeze Regulations introduced on August 20 proved that the storekeepers had a good case and that their claim, that the freeze as it was originally Imposed did not prevent their wage increase, had been right. “The latest amendment which changed that shows that even if workers are taking a legal course of action the Government will close the door by changing the law," said Mr Clark.