Work stops at Dunlop

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 4

Work stops at Dunlop

About 100 rubber workers at the general rubber goods factory of Dunlop (N.Z.),. Ltd, .at Woolston went on strike about 11 a.m. yesterday and will not return until at least Monday. They went home after holding a meeting at the factory which they adjourned until Monday at 8 a.m., when they want the company’s industrial division director, Mr C. Walker, to explain what they say is a contradiction in company policy. The secretary of the Canterbury Rubber Workers’ Union. Mr L. G. Morel, said that the company had appointed a rubber worker from the shop floor to represent the workers in a joint cost-saving investigation

which will be completed by May.

Mr Morel, said that the company had agreed to wait until May to evaluate the exercise before making decisions on cost saving, but Mr Walker had since said that no matter what savings were made, certain items were to be discontinued from production.

“The workers feel the credibility of management is in doubt,” said Mr Morel. The workers want Mr Walker to explain the apparent contradiction. Mr Walker declined to comment on the dispute, but said he would attend the meeting with the workers on Monday.