Settlement of award worries many unionists

Press, 10 November 1986, Page 8

Settlement of award worries many unionists

PA Wellington Many unionists have expressed concern about the settlement of the electrical contractors’ award in Wellington. They are worried at both the level of settlement. lack of backdating, and the memorandum which allows employers respite from paying the industry allowance.

Electrical contractors, who last year spearheaded the wage round with basic wage rises of 15.5 per cent, settled their award on Saturday at 4 a.m. for 6 per cent in pay conditions plus a 55.86 a day industry conditions allowance. However their assessors also signed a memorandum agreeing to an offset provision, under which the allowance will be discounted if above-award

payments are made. Under the memorandum, the union also accepts that employers “in financial difficulties” will not be required to pay the allowance. The term “financial difficulties” is not defined. The award, which took effect from November 7, was not backdated to the expiry of the old award on October 10. Union assessors have remained in close touch with the Federation of Labour, which has advised unions not to sign agreements until the three trend setters —

metal trades, northern stores, and clerical workers — have broken through the 6 per cent barrier set by the general drivers’ award. The Federation of Labour’s secretary, Mr Ken Douglas, declined last

evening to comment The Electrical Workers’ Union secretary and award advocate, Mr John Fisher, was not available for comment yesterday, but the former secretary and advocate, Mr Tony Neary, was cautious in his response.

Mr Neary, who had earlier described the drivers’ award settlement of 6 per cent as too low, said he preferred not to comment until he had had the opportunity to study the document.

The employers’ advocate, Mr Mike Hanson, who described the settlement as reasonably satisfactory, said the agreement was an industry specific document. The industry allowance in particular related to similar payments already made in other building industry awards, he said.