Decision for caretaker

Press, 8 January 1983, Page 6

Decision for caretaker

PA New Plymouth The sacking of a New Plymouth High School caretaker last year, which led to a number of schools closing because cleaners refused to clean toilets, has been found to be unjust. The caretaker at Spotswood College, Mr Douglas Munn, would be reinstated with slightly less responsibility than before his dismissal on June 21, an industrial

mediator, Mr Tom Groves, said when releasing his finding yesterday. Mr Munn was dismissed for allegedly falsifying time sheets for his wife, with whom he worked at the college. He was later reinstated for a period, then dismissed again. More than 12. schools in some main centres' had to close as cleaners took action in support of Mr and Mrs Munn.

The Cleaners’ Union secretary, Mr P. J. Kelly, said the decision was exactly what the union had sought Mr Munn would be reinstated immediately and get full back pay, he said. The New Plymouth High School board’s chairman, Mr Patrick Sole, was not pleased with the news. “Of course I am not happy about it, but we have to abide by the decision,” he said.