Ban at sewerage station

Press, 26 September 1980, Page 4

Ban at sewerage station

Salaried engineers employed by the Christchurch Drainage Board have put an indefinite ban on working a new dual fuel engine room at the Bromley sewagetreatment station.

The 12 engineers are members of the Institute of Marine and Power Engineers, which was negotiating a new industrial agreement for them with the board. However, the talks broke down after four hours, and the institute withdrew its claims.

The institute’ secretary, Mr D. J. Munro, said that when the board refused to increase its final offer the men had no alternative but to take industrial action — the first for at least 14 years. The equipment banned is installed at the station, but is not yet working. It com-

prises engines which -will run on a mixture of diesel and methane gas from Christchurch’s sewage, and supply power to the treatment station. When in full service they are expected to save the board $150,000 on its annual power bill. They are automatic, but engineers are needed to fix any faults.

Mr Munro said that the board had offered 11.3 per cent on wages, but the institute was claiming 12.5 per cent to retain relativity with the salaried engineers employed by the Auckland Regional Authority, which two or three years ago established parity with the rate obtained by salaried engineers in freezing works. There is also disagreement about dirt money, and a travel-allowance claim.