Dam site workers walk off job

Press, 12 March 1982, Page 2

Dam site workers walk off job

PA Dunedin In keeping with a Workers’ Union ban on parts of the Clyde dam, four construction workers walked off the job yesterday morning after being ordered to work on one of the disputed sites. According to the official Ministry of Works and Development statement, the men absented themselves from duty by “refusing to conduct work on a temporary access bridge on the Clyde dam site.” The South Island secretary of the Workers’ Union, Mr T. Wearne (Christchurch) indicated that, the matter would be put to dispute at the beginnig of next week and handled under normal dispute procedures. The men have not been dismissed, but can be absent for five days after which they will be .automatically dismissed. While they are away from work they are not being paid. The Ministry’s statement said that to achieve river diversion on schedule it was essential that work continue on the access bridge, and refusal by the union to comply would undoubtedly affect the June target date for the Clutha River diversion. The temporary bridge is sitting on a pile of earth at the top end of the diversion channel, unattached to its abutments. It must be attached so that the earth can be cleared away to allow the river to be switched into the diversion channel.