‘F.O.L. rejection likely’

Press, 3 May 1983, Page 1

‘F.O.L. rejection likely’

Wellington reporter Deciding the response to Government proposals on the wage-price freeze should be the crux of the Federation of Labour’s annual conference starting in Wellington today. Delegates will discuss a recommendation on the proposals worked out by the federation’s national executive yesterday. The Government made three proposals on moving out of the wage-price freeze

during tripartite wage talks last Thursday. • A small wage order and a lifting of the price freeze to accommodate it. • A continuation of the freeze and tax relief for lower paid workers in the Budget. • No action before the Budget. The federation’s president, Mr W. J. Knox, said after last week’s talks that he thought the conference would reject the proposals.

He had warned earlier that a campaign of industrial action would be organised at the conference if no agreement on moving out of the freeze was reached. Trenchant criticism of the wage-price freeze is made in both the federation’s annual report and in conference remits from member unions.

there is no hint, however, of the form that a campaign against the freeze may take.

Remits on wages and taxation from the Federated Clerical Workers’ Association call the freeze and Budget tax measures a “cruel joke.”

They ask the federation to support action to obtain cost of living increases. The reinstatement of free wage bargaining and the introduction of a minimum living wage are also demanded. The Harbour Board Employees’ Union wants all unions to file a common set of wages claims whether the freeze is lifted or not.

Several remits oppose the Government limits on redundancy payments. They urge the federation to fight for redundancy payments for workers with less than 12 months experience, and for a levy on employers to establish a redundancy fund. A remit from the Shop Employees’ Association opposes the Government’s proposal to introduce youth rates.

Other remits suggest opposing four days work for four days pay, organising a month-long trade ban

against Chile, reaffirming ties with the Labour Party, adopting new policies to combat sexual harassment, increasing welfare benefits and supporting a SouthPacific nuclear-free zone.

A report on the proposal to form a confederation of New Zealand trade unions will be discussed. Time has also been set aside for discussing a paper on the federation’s alternative economic strategy.

The conference will end on Friday. Three candidates will contest an election for vicepresident. They are the Engineers’ Union general secretary, Mr Ernie Ball, the Carpenters’ Union general secretary, Mr Ashley Russ, and Mrs Sonja Davies of the Shop Employees’ Association. Mr Lange’s first speech to the conference as Leader of the Opposition should command attention. He and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Mr Palmer, will address the conference tomorrow afternoon.