Wage increases

Press, 15 February 1986, Page 18

Wage increases

Sir,—Recently Mr Lange appeared on television whingeing about greedy airline pilots, and in “The Press” today it is reported that Mr Douglas has been complaining yet again about “unreasonably high wage settlements.” I suggest that they use the method of different tax rates for different groups of people, already in use by this Government, to “claw some back,” that is, impose a 25 per cent tax surcharge on income in excess of $6OOO a year, plus the going rate of national superannuation, until the wage increase. has been recouped, and refund the employer. Where better to start than with the Prime Minister and his Cabinet? Mr Douglas could explain that this does not compromise any Government promises regarding free wage bargaining. Unfortunately I do not think that they have the "bottle” to try it on with anyone under 60.—Yours, etc., A. GREENLAND. February 9, 1986.

Sir,—Further to Bishop Goodall’s comments about the unsatisfactory climate of industrial relations, and to our Prime Minister’s singling out of “greedy groups” striving for unrealistic wage demands, it would be well to remember that the initial tone of the present wage round was orchestrated by the Government itself when, with self-same greed, it accepted the recommendation of the Higher Salaries Commission to give members what must surely be regarded as an excessive salary increase. Had it not been for this initial catalytic stage-setting the country would not have found itself in such a hopeless state of industrial unrest and social distress. Unions are now preparing the next round in the spiral. Why not tell them now, instead of later, “You’ve had it.” According to ’Buddha’ ”... there is no torrent like greed.”—Yours, etc., F. W. HARDING. February 13, 1986.