PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT ON THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS
STRIKE, FOLLOWING A CABINET MEETING IN ADELAIDE 12 MAY 1977
govornment decisions on these particular matters and I think
that the best thing I can do, at this moment, is to read out
a statement to you, which also gives some other information which
I am sure that you and other Australians will be very much
interested in. I will now read the statement:
At a meeting in Adelaide today the Cabinet considered the strike
by air traffic controllers. Cabinet reaffirmed its view that
this matter ought to be settled by the proper processes of
arbitration. The claim has, on many occasions, been before the appropriate
bodies. The full bench of the Conciliation and Arbitration
Commission is waiting to hear the matter now. The only requirement
before that happens is for air traffic controllers to resume work.
The harm and suffering imposed on tens of thousands of people in
Australia, and overseas, can then be avoided. It is not only
people inconvenienced by the strike, it is obviously people who
have been stood down as a consequence of the strike.
The Government noted that a number of initiatives have been
taken by unions within the air transport industry which would
permit certain domestic and international passenger flights
to be operated. It is noted that the Pilots Federation has
announced that their members are prepared to maintain the existing
evening services to and from Tasmania, continue existing
services in the Pilbarra and reinstate the service between
Sydney and Norfolk Island. The Government feels that these
initiatives demonstrate a sense of national responsibility and
would particularly commend the domestic branch of the Federation
of Air Pilots whose members are currently subject to stand down
orders, and have therefore decided that they are not prepared
to accept payment for operating these services. / 2
The Government is alsopleased to note that air traffic controllers
have agreed to provide operational services which will allow
four international flights out of an4 into Australia to
assist ' assengers stranded in Australia and overseas. The
Government hopes that the co-tfY 15swill agree to additional
flights as soon as possible. Mv ix6. will be able to give
more details, but the four ights. would in no way meet
the requirements of passenges held up either in Australia or
overseas waiting to g/" tt back" to'Atralia.
The Government has indicated on a number of occasions its
support for the Conciliation and Arbitration Commission
and the role of the Public Service Board. Cabinet
now reaffirms that view.
The Government notes that there will be a vote by air traffic
controllers on Friday on whether to resume work and thus
allow the full bench to determine their claim on its merits.
In the name of the Government I ask all air traffic controllers
to examine in their own minds the proper course of action that
they should take. I would ask them to consider what is in their
own best interests and what is the in best interests of the nation.
In the Government's view if these two questions are examined
with an open mind, the air traffic controllers would conclude
that they should return to work, and thus would vote accordingly
on Friday. Therefore I ask them to put Australia first.
Above all, I ask them to accept the verdict of the impartial body.
Over many years Australia has built a complex and highly competent
system of arbitration to adjudicate when there is a dispute.
The arbitration system has been developed to protect the weak,
and to ensure fairness. It is time and it is necessary
that air traffic controllers indicate their willingness to
accept the decision of the umpire, which in this case is the
highest arbitral authority, the full bench of the Conciliation
and Arbitration Commission / 3
er b e' -ti lattiet
The Government appeals, therF r this last time to
air traffic controllers to eercie . i sense of national
responsibility. Cabinet has spent a long time cdn -ideing all facets of this
matter. It has made the detision/ that if the vote on Friday
is to continue the strike, Parliament will be reassembled
on Monday and asked to pass special legislation.
It is decided to announce this decision immediately. It would
be unfair if air traffic controllers were to vote on this
issue without knowing the action that the Government proposes
to take. 00Oooo000