Unions oppose TV systems

Press, 4 August 1983, Page 12

Unions oppose TV systems

PA Wellington The introduction of Viewdata, cable television, or satellite television was likely to have an adverse effect on the New Zealand economy, according to submissions made to the Communications Advisory Council by the Combined State Unions and the Federation of Labour. “The import costs of such technologies will not be compensated by increased exports,” a Public Service Association executive officer, Mr Gerry Eady, said in a speech on new technology to the annual meeting of the New Zealand

Workers’ Educational Association in Wellington. “The capital cost of satellite television alone would be in the region of $3OO million to 400 million,” he said, quoting from the F.0.L.-C.S.U. submission. “A threat exists to our democratic system from the use of cable television and Viewdata for electronic polling and referenda,” he said. “And we see a challenge to our cultural preferences and community standards by international transmission from Australia and the United States.” Mr Eady emphasised that

P.S.A. policy called for a planned introduction of new technology to the benefit of all sections of the community.

Accusations that the unions had a “Luddite” attitude towards new technology were totally rejected. “Several employer and Government representatives have accused the unions of being Luddites — of being opposed to changes in technology. “They are suggesting that trade unions appraise new technology in a blind, antiprogressive fashion. This is untrue and we suspect that employers and the Govern-

ment know it,” he said.

“The P.S.A. policy on new technology is clear. There should be prior consultation between unions and employers before changes are introduced into the work place, and employees should share in increased production and improvements from new technology, including through a reduction in working hours.” Mr Eady said that the P.S.A., C.S.U., and the F.O.L. had lobbied the Government and the employers to support a national agreement on new technology, but had had a negative response.