Rubber men to discuss new proposal

Press, 14 December 1985, Page 8

Rubber men to discuss new proposal

Striking rubber workers in Canterbury will meet tomorrow to consider a proposal by the employers to refer the pay dispute to the Arbitration Court.

The Rubber Workers’ Union sent a telegram to the employers on Tuesday saying the two sides could not get back together because the conciliation council had been disbanded, and the employers had a policy of not meeting while industrial action continued. The union felt the same about lock-outs. It asked for suggestions from the employers. The employers replied that they were willing to take procedures back to the disbanding of the council on November 20 and start from there, with the pay dispute being taken to the Arbitration Court and the remainder of the agreement settled on a return to work.

“If the union accepts this in writing there would be a full return to work. We don’t see the disbanding of

the council as any? impedi- • ment to’ the two’ parties ? getting together because ? they can come to this agree- j ment themselves,” said [the i employers’ Mr Neil McPhail; “As Soon* as | there was agreement that | the matter be referred to j the Court the dispute would g be over. The Court is the | best place to deal with it as s both sides think they, have' a 9 good case?’ ’-•* ’ < •' ; 1 |

Mr McPhail said the con- j? ciliator, Mr B. Pf Gray. $ prepared to faciliate this S approach; f f'Jn f The union’s secretary, Mr ? Roger . Drott,;..would., not 4 comment bh the employers’ proposal, saying the members would make their decision tomorrow.

The 650 rubber workers have been oh strike for four weeks over a pay relativity ? and bonus agreement is- ■ sue. . The union claims a 16’45 ? per cent increase A on; 4he basic award rates’. The employers have offered 15.7 per cent.