Carriers get 4% pay rise

Press, 8 December 1988, Page 7

Carriers get 4% pay rise

PA Wellington The carriers’ award, which sets the rate for approximately 7000 drivers, has been settled after almost three months of negotiation.

The Distribution Workers’ Federation national secretary, Mr Paul Kimble, said the settlement would represent a more than 10 per cent increase for some drivers. But the introduction of a new shift clause would also allow employers greater flexibility.

“The drivers’ settlement is significant in reflecting the needs of the industry by allowing major gains for both workers and employers. It consolidates the gains made last year

arising from the decision to move to industry bargaining,” Mr Kimble said. In 1987 the trend-setting general drivers’ award was divided up into its three primary industry components — road cartage, contracting and ancillary. The carriers’ award is the first drivers’ document to settle .in the 1988 round.

The main points of the settlement were: 4 per cent on wages and conditions; a new detailed shift clause, providing payments of $23.50 a shift; and a new $lO daily payment for bulk oil cartage and driving refrigerated vehicles.

A significant aspect of

the settlement was the recognition of the need by both parties to meet regularly to look at the requirements of the industry and workers within it. • The last of the newspaper industry awards was settled yesterday, with the New Zealand Journalists’ Union accepting a 4.5 per cent increase on wages and allowances.

The increase would not be backdated although the previous award expired on November 15. This makes the settlement an effective 4.2 per cent increase in pay. .

The settlement was conditional on employers and the union dropping other claims.

At the opening of talks,

journalists were seeking 8.5 per cent, with employers offering 2.5 per cent.

Printers, photolithographers and northern journalists have also settled on 4.5 per cent, the latter two without backdating. The four newspaper industry unions last month took co-ordinated industrial action in support of their claims, stopping the production of newspapers in most parts of the country.

© A 4 per cent increase has been negotiated for the insurance workers’ award, which covers 7000 workers nationally. The increase is backdated to October 30.