Approval for new Govt’s proposal

Press, 26 July 1984, Page 1

Approval for new Govt’s proposal

PA Wellington The National Council of the Federation of Labour has accepted the incoming Government’s three-month breathing space, said the president of the F.0.L., Mr Jim Knox, yesterday. However, discussions would continue on matters of concern to the trade union movement, particularly those affecting its freedom, said Mr Knox. He said that the incoming Minister of Labour, Mr Rodger, had told him the door was open during that three-month period. The F.O.L. had no doubt there would be better communication with the Labour Government than there was with the former Government, Mr Knox said. The F.O.L. was very happy with the appointment

of Mr Rodger to the Labour portfolio. Mr Rodger, a former president of the Public Service Association, had a great deal of patience and he was always prepared to listen to the other person’s problems, said Mr Knox. During the three-month breathing space, the F.O.L. would try to get dates set for a meeting to consider the wage-freeze and the Industrial Law Reform Act. Mr Knox said that some trades councils had begun to prepare for campaigning in the 1987 elections. The Labour Government needed more than one term to overcome the serious economic situation left by the last Government, he said. The two-day national council meeting will continue in Wellington today.