Bill talks fail

Press, 10 March 1988, Page 1

Bill talks fail

PETER LUKE,

political reporter A last-gasp effort to resolve the State Sector Bill conflict apparently failed last evening. 1 Governmen and trade union members emerged from a four-hour Beehive meeting to announce that no progress had been made. i State unions will convey a formal response to the Government today/'via the Combined Trade Union group. But neither party conceded ground last evening, or indicated | that a solution to the conflict was possible. I The cruncn meeting was called by the C.T.U. rather than the | Government’s direct antagonists — the Public Service Association and the Combined State Unions grouj). But the CJT.U.’s secretary, Mr Ron Burgess, said later than no agreements had been made! Nor had the State unionsj withdrawn their industrial action. He confirmed that no further meetings were planned, i The Minis ter of State Services, Mr Rodger, was quick to downplay the status of the meeting. Tiie parties had not been in a “negotiating mode.” Rather, :he parties had discussed whether proce- ! du res might be available to S address the divisive issues. The meeting did not come up with any procedures, he said. “We indicated quite firmly to them that the Government will not be withdrawing the State Sector Bill and we have also I indicated quite clearly to them that it is our intent to have it passed by April 1.” Asked whether no progress had been made, he said, “It ' certainly seems that is the case at this point.” Last evening’s meeting came at a crucial time in the bill’s progress. The Labour caucus is widely expected to discuss the bill today, in the context of grave party disquiet at| its provisions. Parliament’s Government Administration Select Committee could finish hearing' submissior s today before it deliberates and reports the bill back to the House on Tuesday. The presence of the umbrella organisation — the C.T.U. —- last evening indicated tha: the C.S.U. and the P.S.A. Wire holding their hard-line stance that the bill be withdiawn. Both gi oups have refused Governm mt invitations to discuss tlie bill while it remains before the House.