ASSOCIATION REPLY

Grey River Argus, 28 February 1947, Page 5

ASSOCIATION REPLY

To the Commission F.A. WELLINGTON, February 27. Stating that he spoke with full authority of his Association’s Executive Committee, the acting-president Of the Public Service Association, Mr L. G. Anderson, in reply to the Commission’s statement, declared that his Association stood firm, both on its attitude in the dispute and its right to approach the Prime Minister. Despite the Commission's statement, a consultative committee did fix salaries on a basis of forty hours work-a-week, as was evidenced by the wording of the report, which said: “It was agreed that where a week in excess of forty hours had of necessity to be worked, this- should be recognised by payment of overtime rates for all time worked in excess of forty hours”. The committee had specifically rejected the alternative of taking into account a longer working week when fixing salaries. Mi’ Anderson continued: ‘‘The Commissioner, Government and Association later agreed that the consultative committee’s report should come into effect on April 1, 1946, and it follows that hours in excess’ of forty must be paid for at overtime rates as from that date.” A committee of enquiry, whose major object was to stimulate recruiting, reported months after the consultative committee’s report came into force, and it could not possibly be construed to override the agreement of the Government, Commissioner’ and Association. The Commission criticised as anti-social the action taken by mental hospitals’ nursing staffs. Their record of devoted service and the restrained and responsive manner in which they had embarked on their refusal to accept call-back duty was sufficient answer to the Commission on that point. Mr Anderson said he had told the Chairman of the Commission, Mr R. M Campbell, that the Association still

regarded the Commission's decision on mental hospitals overtime payments as completely unacceptable, and that it would continue to support mental hospital employees, firstly, in their claims for payment to which they were justly entitled; secondly, in the action they w’ere taking as a protest against a palpably inequitable and unreasonable decision —a decision that they and the Association regarded as a gross breach of faith. Mr Anderson said that, throughout the recent negotiations, Mr Campbell had chosen to treat the merits of the mental hospitals dispute as a secondary issue. He continued: “What, at some paine, he had made increasingly obvious is that the real issue is whether the Association should have the right to approach the Prime Minister regarding, any decision of the Commission which, in the opinion of the Association, is either completely unacceptable, or is otherwise of such a serious nature that an approach is warranted”.

Mr Anderson added that the whole question was discussed eleven days ago v/hen members of the Commission and Executive officers of the Association were invited, by the Prime Minister, to meet him. The Prime Minister had agreed that he should be the judge of what matters were of sufficient importance to justify hisintervention, and this had appeared to be acceptable to all parties. However, Mr Campbell had continued to assert that he strongly disapproved of the Association’s action in approaching the Prime Minister on the mental hospitals dispute, or any other matter coming within the authority of the Commission.

“His view, apparently”, said Mr Anderson, “is that the Commission is to be the final court of appeal against its own decisions. The Association cannot accept this”. Mr Anderson said the Commission’s action in withdrawing recognition of the Association was a matter of gYave concern, not only to all public servants, but also to all members of employee organisations and trade unions, and to other members of the public. Referring to the refusal by the mental hospital employees to work call-back duty, Mr Anderson said that these employees were continuing to work a 47-hour week, and, in addition to that, were holding themselves available to undertake without payment, work that was essential to the welfare of patients. These employees had been driven almost to desperation by a reluctance of the previous administration to alleviate their deplorable conditions. The Association regarded the latest act as a betrayal by the Commission of an agreement entered into by the former Public Service Commissioner and the Association, and ratified by the Government. It was the last straw. In conclusion, Mr Anderson said the blame for the state of affairs that had arisen was not being attached to the present administration of the Mental Hospitals Department. The Commission alone must bear the responsibility. PUBLIC SERVANTS’ MEETINGS WELLINGTON, Feb. 27. "Meetings of Association members were held to-day in several Government departments and strong indignation was expressed at the attitude adopted by the Public Service Commission,” said a statement issued tonight by the Wellington section of the Public Service Association. “Resolutions of indignation were adopted at a meeting held in the Dominion Laboratory, where over one hundred of the staff attended, and at the Government Film Studio, Miramar, Land and Income Tax Department, and War Assets Realisation Board.” AUCKLAND, February 27. The withdrawal of recognition of the New Zealand Public Service Association by the Public Service Commission has come as a bombshell to the majority of members of the Auckland section of the association. The developments are seen as analogous in some respects to the waterfront dispute, because in that case a commission appointed by the Government was also involved. Auckland members say the position of the association appears to be that of a deregistered union. To some members the announcemnt of the commision’s attitude has not. come as a surprise. They view it as the culmination of developments dating back a few years when there was a movement in the association foi affiliation with the Federation of Labour. The chairman of the Auckland section of the association, Mr J. M. O - Connell, said he had not received any official information and could ■ not make a statement. • A special meeting of the Auckland section committee will be held.