Deane ‘makes struggle worse’

Press, 15 January 1988, Page 1

Deane ‘makes struggle worse’

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL,

industrial reporter

Electricorp’s chief executive, Dr Rod Deane, was trying to create “some bizarre death or glory struggle” between the corporation and the P.S.A., said the national president of the Public Service Association, Mr Colin Hicks, yesterday. Mr Hicks was responding to claims made yesterday by Dr Deane that the P.S.A. was prepared to accept seven agreements. Dr Deane said the association had “made it absolutely clear they would agree to seven agreements if the wage increase was sufficient.” He said the corporation could raise its 7 per cent offer provided the P.S.A. withdrew strike notice. He said the corporation now believed the association would be prepared to settle at 7.5 per cent and under seven documents. The P.S.A. is seeking a 10.5 per cent wage rise and a single document to cover corporation workers, while the corporation has offered 7 per cent with seven documents to cover the seven new divisions.

But Mr Hicks said Dr Deane’s stance was “strange.” He said the P.S.A. was not prepared to accept 7.5 per cent and that the association’s position was still the same. Dr Deane had misrepresented an internal memo by claiming it revealed a new position taken by the association. The association also seeks a carry-over of existing conditions of employment and restructuring documents. Mr Hicks said he hoped the parties would be returning to talks and that the dispute would be resolved within a fortnight. North Island thermal workers have already given notice of a second strike in a fortnight, and Twizel hydro workers have also given two weeks notice of industrial action. The action will be considered by the P.S.A. national office next week, which must endorse strike action before it can go ahead. Otago workers are expected to meet next week to consider joining their colleagues. Mr Hicks said the suggestions made by Dr Deane would only make the situation more difficult.