Travel bans of all types are sadly a consequence of the coronavirus crisis, but on this day in 1977 it was a public service travel ban of another type that was making news.
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The union representing Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Ethnic Affairs staff had given a directive to members to not accept any economy-class travel for work.
The federal executive of the Administrative and Clerical Officers Association imposed the ban in response to an earlier ban by the Public Service Board on first class travel for public servants "below second-division rank" in the interests of savings.
But the union felt having staff fly economy was onerous to officers traveling overseas with their families and so banned economy flights over seven hours, 21 minutes (including waiting time at airports). This meant anywhere but New Zealand and some Pacific island locations.
Union members were instructed not to organise tickets or do any other duties relating to dispatching out-bound staff by economy.
According to the report, eight members of Foreign Affairs who were due to head overseas in a three-week window were surveyed on the proposed ban. Five supported the ban, one opposed it and two didn't respond.
Two Immigration staff members surveyed were split for and against.
