Govt rent rise opposed

Press, 7 March 1984, Page 4

Govt rent rise opposed

PA Wellington Government moves to increase rentals for departmental houses were condemned yesterday by the chairman of the Combined State Unions, Mr Ron Burgess.

The houses under discussion were closely linked with the conditions of employment, Mr Burgess said. “In the private’ sector, employers also provide

housing as a condition of employment,” he said. “In most cases such housing is rent-free, as on farms. In the State it would be impossible to staff remote or rural power stations, prisons, schools, forests, railways, lighthouses, construction projects, and landdevelopment schemes if departmental housing were not provided at a low rental.” “The crucial point is that

the State unions have formal agreements with the employer — the Government — covering all these departmental houses. It would seem that the Government now wants to abrogate these agreements.” He said the C.S.U. considered it outrageous to propose such a review at a time when wages had been frozen for 26. months and when rents were also frozen or restricted.