Firm defends action

Press, 17 April 1978, Page 7

Firm defends action

The assistant district superintendent of the Department of Labour (Mr D. Postlethwaite) has told Andrews and Beaven, Ltd. that, as far as the Apprenticeship Act is i concerned, the firm was entitled to lay off a probationany apprentices. The personnel manager of Andrews and Beaven (Mr M. Busby) said this last evening in reply to a report in “The iPress’’ yesterday about "goslow” action by boilermakers at Andrews and Beaven in protest at the redundancy of a probationary apprentice •employed by the company. Andrews and Beaven referred the issue to Mr Postle•thvvaite and he said he had ; informed the secretary of the ! [Canterbury Boilermakers’ Union that the company was > ; entitled to lay off its probationary apprentice yesterIday, Mr Busby said. He said that he understood j that the young man. who had: been made redundant, stilll 1 had the prospect yesterday i of another position. i "This young man had, ini 'our belief, refused at least l I two earlier placements,” he j I said. “We also understand from; Mr Postlethwaite that if his; [position doesn’t eventuate,! jthe Canterbury Boilermakers’! I Union still has the prospect! lof a suitable position for[ •him,” Mr Busby said.