F.O.L. MOVE ON STRIKE

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31111, 14 July 1966, Page 1

F.O.L. MOVE ON STRIKE

Men Advised To Return

(New Zealand press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 12. , The Federation of Labour has moved to end the industrial stoppage on the Manapouri underground powerhouse contract. The F.O.L. today telegraphed the West Arm Combined Unions Association advising the men to return to work so that negotiations could proceed with the management on the disputed issues.

The president of the F.O.L. (Mr T. E. Skinner) confirmed this in Wellington today.

Today the executive of the striking workers at the £l5 million project outlined suggestions to end the nine-day stoppage, according to an Invercargill message. The suggestions, contained in a statement by the Combined Unions Association released today, call for improved treatment by the management of decisions reached after negotiations between the workers and the management, the Utah Construction and Mining Company. “The executive body of the union can see no hope of the men going back to work unless the management can show

“That any decision reached under negotiation will be abided by; and “That they will abide by the award without the men being forced to haggle about their wages, in some cases months after

they have earned them; “That any dealings with them will be done promptly, efficiently and honestly.”

The statement outlines specific cases in which, it is alleged, the management has failed to abide by earlier decisions.

NO CHANGE Today, the project manager, Mr R. Hungett, said that there was no change In the attitude of the management towards the dispute. It would continue to insist that the agreed-upon procedure for the handling of disputes at West Arm was adhered to. There were no plans to change the management policy whereby wet canteens were kept shut as long as the stoppage lasted, Mr Hungett said.

“We will negotiate with the union committee when work is resumed, and not before,” he said. Tomorrow afternoon a meeting between West Arm workers and union secretaries (Mr W. C. McDonnell, secretary of the Otago Trades Council, Mr L. B. Swan, secretary of the CanterburyOtago - Southland General Labourers’ Union, and Mr J. A. Boomer, secretary of the Engineers’ Union) will be held.

The secretaries will attempt to have the stoppage ended and work resumed.