Action by P.S.A. disappoints chief

Press, 26 December 1987, Page 4

Action by P.S.A. disappoints chief

PA Wellington Electricorp marketing’s general manager, Mr Drew Stein, has expressed disappointment at the notice of intended industrial action by the Public Service Association. The P.S.A. has given notice of intention to shut down power from eight thermal stations for 24 hours on January 12. The parties are in dispute over wages and conditions. “The recent administrative agreement with the P.S.A. included, at its request, a clause which indicated Electricorp marketing’s willingness to enter immediate discussions regarding the restructuring programme,” Mr Stein said. “As of yesterday, no approach has been made by the P.S.A. to initiate these discussions. I have this week again communicated willingness to discuss the matter,” he said yesterday. On the present dispute, Mr Stein said: “It is essen-

tial that Electricorp marketing has its individual industrial document. We are in a fiercely competitive market situation where we have lost marketshare over the past four years and are continuing to do so. “This loss has accentuated our over-capacity problem which, if allowed to continue, would have a detrimental effect on pricing policies which would eventually need to be passed on to consumers.” He said another problem was the generating proposals being evaluated by private companies and individual retailers. Strike action such as proposed by the P.S.A. would only add weight to the argument for independant generating plant to guarantee reliability of supply.

He has sent a letter covering these points to the general secretary of the P.S.A., and awaits a response. “On the basis of the notice of action received,

some disruption to supply is inevitable in the North Island. Retailers will be advised of the actual situation in the New Year,” he said. The P.S.A.’s president, Mr Colin Hicks, said electricity group members had resolved “overwhelmingly” to reject Electricorp’s proposals. The January 12 action would include the 1000 MW Huntly station and the New Plymouth power station.

“This stoppage will recur on January 26 to 27 and weekly thereafter," Mr Hicks said. “Other forms of industrial action will start from the same date, including a ban on overtime, no callouts and no responding to emergencies for 24 hours except to ensure plant and human safety.” Mr Hicks said it was unlikely the first round of generation loss on January 12 and 13 would inconvenience the public “unless Electricorp determines otherwise.”