‘Distrust’ at power talks

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 4

‘Distrust’ at power talks

PA Wellington The Public Service Association says there has been an “enormous level of distrust” in its renewed talks with Electricorp Production since last week’s unprecedented industrial action cut electricity supplies throughout New Zealand. %

Formal negotiations began on Friday after Wednesday’s big power cuts climaxed an escalating dispute between the two parties over annual award talks.

A P.S.A. spokesperson connected with the talks, who would not be named, said the talks „were held on Friday and Sunday and were to continue yesterday.

Production comprises the largest business unit of the Electricity Corporation, and has about 1600

workers. The talks were not expected to continue beyond Sunday, as more talks have to be held with representatives of the corporation’s other business units.

Talks involving Trans Power will be held today, Marketing’s will be held tomorrow, Power Design Build’s talks will be held on Thursday, and talks involving the Corporate Services group are planned for Friday.

The Production talks are being chaired by the industrial mediator, Maurice Teen, and involve the P.S.A.’s electricity group and representatives of Production.

The P.S.A. spokesperson would not comment on the details discussed, describing the talks as “interesting but inconclusive.”