Union chiefs urged to join business institute

Press, 28 September 1984, Page 12

Union chiefs urged to join business institute

PA Auckland The Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Caygill, has told an elite group of business leaders that they should include union chiefs in their organisation. His message was contained in an address at the launching of the W. Edwards Deming Institute of New Zealand at the Shera-ton-Auckland Hotel. It was read to the gathering of about 60 top executives by the president of the Manufacturers’ Federation, Mr Earl Richardson. Mr Caygill had gone to Christchurch to attend the birth of his fourth child. The Deming Institute was formed after the visit to

New Zealand earlier this year of Dr W. Edwards Deming, an American who is credited with teaching the Japanese the methods of quality control and management.

So far 26 New Zealand companies have paid $5OOO each to join the institute, which insists that chief executives themselves must be committed to its principles and attend its forums.

In his address Mr Caygill said, “If that number of organisations can be extended we would have further evidence of the national consensus this Government and our people are seeking. I also believe there

would be immense benefit if major labour organisations were also represented at that forum.

“Certainly there appears to be nothing in Deming’s philosophy that is not supportive of the wage worker.

“Rather, he is highly critical of management, not of the labour force.”

The institute’s president, Dr Ivor Francis, a professor of mathematical statistics at Otago University, said later he agreed with Mr Caygill’s suggestion. He said he had already invited executives of the Federation of Labour to join, but so far without success.