Long disruption at works likely

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 1

Long disruption at works likely

By

PATRICIA HERBERT

in Wellington Anticipating a protracted and bitter pay dispute in the freezing industry, the Minister of Labour, Mr Rodger, yesterday met union representatives. The informal meeting was called by Mr Rodger and took place in his Beehive office. It was attended by the secretary of the Meat Workers’ Union, Mr A. J. Kennedy, and the president and secretary of the Federation of Labour, Messrs Jim Knox and Ken Douglas.

Mr Rodger said later that he had reaffirmed his policy of non-interference in the wage round — a position he has held firm to since the electrical contractors’ award talks. The temptation to intervene in this case must, however, be considerable. Not only does a long campaign of disruption seem likely but the Government has stated repeatedly that if the wage-fixing system is capable of delivering flexibility, it will deliver a lower than average settlement to freezing workers. This occurred last year

when, against a general wage movement of between 6.4 and 7.02 per cent, they received an increase of only 5.2 per cent. This time, however, Mr Kennedy has served notice that they want the "going rate” — 15.5 per cent — and that they will strike to get it. The meat companies are equally adamant that they cannot afford and will not pay 15.5 per cent and are sticking on a flat rate offer of $23 a week — between 4 and 5 per cent.

Now it seems they may

be faced with a united front; that meat workers and tradesmen employed in the industry may Join forces in pursuit of a joint claim for 15.5 per cent The tradesmen’s wage talks began in Wellington yesterday with Mr Douglas as advocate for the workers. According to the information officer for the Meat Industry Association,. Mr Paul Hemsley, they were offered a $25 a week increase — less than 4 per cent — and adjourned before midday to consider it.

Mr Hemsley said the association had been told by Mr Douglas to expect a reply by 3.30 p.m. at the latest but that at 5 p.m. there was still no word so they telephoned the F.O.L. to find that Mr Douglas had left for Auckland. Mr Hemsley seemed unsure whether they were still in negotiations but said he presumed they were. He also said he thought that the meat workers’ representatives, including Mr Kennedy, had attended the meeting held that afternoon at the

F.O.L. office and that they were probably planning to approach the wage dispute on an industry basis.

A strike seemed inevitable as both Mr Kennedy and the F.O.L. were now talking about it, Mr Hemsley said. He does not expect it to begin this week or next but later when the killing season is at its height Mr Douglas could not be reached for comment yesterday and Mr Kennedy said that it had been agreed that any statements should come from the F.O.L.