N.Z. grubbers complain, too

Press, 23 May 1977, Page 1

N.Z. grubbers complain, too

New Zealanders work as tussock grubbers for the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board — and their conditions are “at least as bad” as those of migrant workers, says a Christchurch man who worked at Waipara for four months last year. Mr K. C. Isherwood, of Hills Road, in a letter to “The Press,” says that he spent four months grubbing with other unemployed or unemployable men, based at Waipara. He says the New Zealand workers had to supply their own bedding and blankets; were given only an old black-and-white television set for recreational use in the Waipara hostel; had to pay board of $lB a week for “substandard” meals, and for a full 45-hour week received $59.43 in the hand, after deductions, including board, had been taken from their $99.35 a week gross pay. “When I say we received $59.43 in the hand, I'm not quite right,” says Mr Isherwood. “We were always paid by cheque and it was a sprint over to the pub to cash them in, and as the publican could Only cash four or five cheques on pay day, the unlucky fellows had to borrow from

their mates to 'get by’,” he says. The South Island secretary of the Labourers’ Union (Mr W. B. Brown) said that New Zealand grubbers were obtained by the board through the Labour Department in Christchurch, though they were not classified as being on special work for tiie unemployed. “The union is very much aware of the problems that exist, and is endeavouring in its negotiations for a new agreement to have all employees of the board included, not just the migrant workers.” said Mr Brown. The Tongan grubbers are based at Waiau and Cheviot. Mr Brown said that payment by cheque had been a sore point of workers for some years, but there was provision for it in the local bodies employees* award and the union could do little about it. The chairman of the board (Mr M. K. Forrester, of Hawarden) was not available for comment last evening, and the operations manager (Mr D. W. McLellan) said that he was not prepared to comment “off the cuff” on the allegations made by Mr Isherwood.