$2O claim rejected

Press, 9 July 1983, Page 3

$2O claim rejected

PA Wellington Insurance workers have called on the Federation of Labour to abandon its campaign for a pay rise of $2O a week and concentrate on discussing with the Government and employers vital issues affecting New Zealand workers. The Insurance Workers’ Union general secretary, Mr G. J. Ogilvie, said yesterday that the $2O claim and action against the extended wage freeze were rejected by 87 per cent of the union’s members who took part in a ballot.

Insurance workers considered the Government must provide tax relief for lowincome families, an ade-

quate general wage order at the end of the freeze, and ensure successful negotiations on measures to come out of the freeze, including the basis for resuming award negotiations on general conditions, Mr Ogilvie said. Depending on subsequent Government policies, his members supported the freeze as a way of improving New Zealand’s economy and the long-term wellbeing of working people, he said.

Members had clearly indicated that the Government should respect and stand by the outcome of its compulsory ballots in 1979 on the union membership question. _