Dr Wayne Mapp

National Defence Spokesperson

Monday 4 September 2000

What's next - soldiers on strike?

The Council of Trade Unions is flexing its new muscles under the Employment Relations Act with its bid to recruit soldiers into becoming rank and file union members, National's Defence spokesperson Wayne Mapp said today.

"What'll be next? The CTU pushing for soldiers to down tools and walk off the job on strike?

"The answer to concerns about allowances for soldiers in East Timor is not for them to sign up to the PSA and bargain collectively.

"Last year National doubled the allowances to soldiers serving in East Timor . It is in this Government's hands to make any further changes. It is the Government's job to ensure our defence force remains intact.

"New Zealand can not afford to have its army become a recruiting ground for the CTU.

"The CTU might want to have the power of our defence forces behind them when they stride into an industrial battle but there are bigger issues - like the national interest - that need to be taken into account."

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