Industrial safety

Press, 26 February 1980, Page 16

Industrial safety

Sir,—l note (“The Press,” February 25) that Mr J. Nieman, senior safety officer of the Accident Compensation Commission, claims that New Zealand trade unions are hot so concerned with the safety aspects of their members’ employment. I find this statement ludicrous, especially since Mr Nieman this very day is participating in a safety course for members of the Storemen and Packers’ Union which our union battled with employers to have established. To the extent safety provisions are inadequate in New Zealand, Mr Nieman would be better advised to direct his criticism to employers. A large number of industrial disputes are precisely over safety. Perhaps if Mr Nieman were to sit in on a Conciliation Council arid experience the difficulty unions have in persuading recalcitrant employers to provide the full range of safety and protective equipment, including clothing, he could speak with more knowledge of the vigorous efforts made by unions on industrial health and safety matters. — Yours, etc.,

P. E. PIESSE. February 25, 198(5.