Ministry claims lack of money Traffic officers take industrial action

Press, 31 January 1989, Page 15

Ministry claims lack of money

Traffic officers take industrial action

PA Wellington Industrial action by Ministry of Transport staff will not change the Ministry’s wage offer as it has no money for a higher settlement, the Transport Secretary, Mrs Margaret Bazley, says. The Government said that all departments had to find money for pay increases from within their budgets and the Ministry was in a precarious financial situation, Mrs Bazley said. It was scratching to come up with the wage offer of $l2 a week for those earning less than $26,000 a year, $8 for those on $26,000-$30,000 and $6 for those earning more than $30,000, she said.

The P.S.A. wants a flat 3 per cent across the board with a minimum $l5 a week increase. In support of this claim traffic officers from midnight today are refusing to carry out heavy vehicle inspections except where safety is at risk. They will not issue instant fines and will not be communicating with head office. Traffic officers who were not P.S.A. members would not be bound to take any action, Chief Traffic Superintendent lan Coddington said. The action would have little effect on the public but would increase paper work within the Ministry. “Safety will not be compromised,” he said.

PA Auckland Motorists caught for driving offences which normally attract an instant fine will find themselves receiving a court summons during industrial action by Ministry of Transport traffic officers. The three-pronged national action, which includes a ban on revenueearning tickets such as speeding and parking, starts today. The Public Service Association’s senior industrial officer, Ms Kathryn Kemp, said tickets would still be issued, but because they would be dealt with by the courts rather than the Ministry of Transport as infringement notices, the Ministry

would not gain any immediate advantage from the money, she said. Enforcement of heavy motor vehicle regulations was banned for the duration of the action, as was passing on information to head office for statistical records, Ms Kemp said. Traffic officers in all areas except the Waikato voted for the action in response to an unacceptable award talks offer. They decided not to take any further forms of action because road safety and public services had to be maintained, Ms Kemp said. “They don’t want to be disruptive to the public. Our battle is with the Ministry and the Government rather than the pub-

lic.” The Ministry of Transport workers had been offered flat rate payments — $l2 for those earning under $26,000 a year, $8 for those between $26,000 and $30,000. Those earning more than $30,000 were offered $6, Ms Kemp said. Traffic officers would not accept less than $l5 a week, with an over-all increase of at least 3 per cent, she said. The action would not be lifted until the award was settled, she said. Automotive surveyors at the Otara and Grey Lynn vehicle testing stations have also banned registering 44-tonne trucks, she said.