Drivers gain breakthrough pay rise

Press, 20 November 1987, Page 1

Drivers gain breakthrough pay rise

PA Wellington The Drivers’ Union last evening achieved a breakthrough in the award round by negotiating settlement in the road carriers’ document with an over-all pay rise thought to total between 13.5 per cent and 14 per cent. The chief mediator, Mr Brian Gray, announced settlement had been reached about 7 p.m. after nine hours of negotiations, but said details would remain secret until employers and the union today signed the document in formal conciliation council. Carriers comprise about onethird of the 16,000 workers covered by the general drivers’ award, with contract and ancillary drivers making up the remaining two-thirds.

The success follows an employers’ initiative this month to file claims that have led to the splitting of the general drivers’ award after weeks of talks failed to break a deadlock. It comes a day after talks on a separate new national contract drivers’ document collapsed. The road transport division of the Distribution Workers’ Federation, representing the country’s drivers, has stuck by its claim for a 16 per cent wage increase, comprising an 8.6 per cent pay rise and a new industry allowance totalling $4O. The contractors’ talks broke down with employers offering about 10 per cent, comprising an 8 per cent wage rise plus an additional $7.34 on the allowance, taking it to $25.