Hospital workers to resume talks

Press, 23 February 1987, Page 2

Hospital workers to resume talks

PA Wellington Workers covered by the private hospital award have voted to resume talks with employers, said the secretary of the Hotel and Hospital Workers* Union, Mr Peter Cullen, on Friday. Meetings held throughout New Zealand had reaffirmed members* determination to achieve parity with public ' hospital workers, he said. “This round the union planned its negotiation on the basis that the employers would keep their promise for parity. Unfortunately we were wrong. The employers broke their word,” he said.

Members had also demanded that the Government give the union the right to settle a dispute in the Arbitration Court, should the union choose to.

“The members have aisked that this matter be taken up urgently with the Government and that an amendment be made to the necessary legislation,” Mr Cullen said. “As far as the union is concerned, next year’s campaign will start next week. It will be planned on the basis that the employers break their promises. As far as the union is concerned parity is just one year away.”