Interim pay rise not settled

Press, 30 July 1985, Page 3

Interim pay rise not settled

PA Wellington The Prime Minister, Mr Lange, said the Government was not prepared to increase its offer of an 8 per cent interim pay rise to State servants from November 10. But he told reporters that he thought there was a basis for an agreement, and he appeared to initially rule out a suggestion that the interim pay rise be bought forward a month, saying it would take effect in November. However, later he said the proposal would be considered. “I’m not saying it will be rejected out of hand but on the (Jace of it it would be a

change from the existing state of affairs.” Mr Lange said he had not had a specific proposal from the Combined State Unions rejecting the 8 per cent offer. Later, after meeting Mr Lange about another matter, the C.S.U. chairman, Mr Ron Burgess, said the executive had not said it would reject the offer. However, he would tell the Government that although it began to address the serious problems of recruitment and retention, it was not good enough. It would be seeking to discuss it further with the State Services Co-ordinating Committee, he said. £