Action pointless, firemen told

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 8

Action pointless, firemen told

PA Wellington The Minister of State Services, Mr Rodger, has told fire-fighters in central and southern New Zealand that proposed industrial action is pointless as they could be bound by ' a pay ruling of the Public Sector Tribunal. In a letter to the central and southern fire brigades , unions yesterday, Mr Rodger said the northern union wanted the pay dispute referred to the Public Sector Tribunal and had showed a willingness to use the njechanisms available. He said it appeared that the northern union was able, in law, to proceed

with its application in isolation. But:any tribunal ruling made as a result of that application would be binding on all parties, whether or not they were parties to the original application. Fire-fighters in central and southern unions have given notice of industrial action from March 18 over a 3 per cent offer from the Fire Service Commission. Members of the northern union voted instead to have the pay dispute referred to the-Public Sector Tribunal. The northern union had then written to the Minister asking him to intervene.