Mr. Mike Smith: It wasn’t an easy decision,
but we’ve been asking for a decent wage for years. Now at las people are
beginning to listen to us. We’ re only asking for a 25 percent increase in our
wages. 250 dollars a week, that’s all. It’s a pity so many people have to be
inconvenienced by our strike. Bu please don’t blame us. Blame the government for
refusing our claim. Mr. Tom Brown: It’ s
totally unreasonable to demand so much money when we are trying desperately to
control inflation. If wages go up ,so do prices. If we gave in to the
electricity workers, all the other unions would want more, with the inevitable
result that the crisis would become uncontrollable. What we’ re trying to
impress upon everybody is that inflation hurts everybody, especially the poor
people. We offer the electricity workers a 10 percent increase. And that’ s
already too much. My stand at this meeting will be to persuade the Union to see
reason. Mr. Bob Davis: Everybody will be hurt by
this strike, including the electricity workers themselves. The economy will be
destroyed and many people will lose their jobs. Already people are saying that
the big unions have too much power and shouldn’t be allowed to strike. Of course
the electricity workers want to get more money. Don’t we all
Mrs. Baker. My opinion is "Get the Army in". All the power
stations should be managed by the army. The strikers should be thrown into
prison. That’ s what this country needs. Why must we all suffer just because a
few men are greedy If they don’t like their jobs, nobody’ s forcing them to
work. They should try and live on 50 dollars a week like I have to. Perhaps
they’ d keep their mouths shut then. Miss Slater：
Let’s face it. It’s neither here nor there. The electricity workers are in
a strong position. Perhaps we can’t do anything about it. What I say is: let
them have their 250 dollars so we can return to work. I mean, the government
wastes the taxpayers’ money all the time on trivial things. How can anyone say
250 dollars is "too much" Pop singers get more. Nurses get less. It’s just one
of those things. Now match each of the persons (61 to 65) to the
appropriate statement. Statements [A] A 10%
increase is already too much, and I’m here to persuade the Union to see
reason. [B] I hope that strikes should be banned in all sectors
relating to the nation’ s security and stability. [C] We will
never go back to work until our goals are achieved. [D] I think
that the government should give in to the electricity worker’ s
demands. [E] I strongly suggest that all the power stations
should be run by the army and that the strikers should be put into
prison. [F] I must make you clear that strikes will destroy the
economy and that many people will lose their jobs. [G] We are
forced to call a strike because the government rejected our wage
claim. Note: there are two extra statements. Mr. Bob Davis