Fertiliser workers on strike

Press, 27 April 1983, Page 3

Fertiliser workers on strike

About 25 fertiliser workers have been on strike for a week at the Ravensdowne Fertiliser Co-Opera-tive, Ltd, works at Hornby. The strike has cost some production. The works manager, Mr C. H. Moir, said that the main issue in dispute was the workers’ claim for a urea handling allowance. The claim had been put to the company at 9 a.m. on April 20. Mr Moir said he had told the workers that he would like until noon to consider the claim, but the workers had gone home at 11 a.m. Mr Moir said he had told

the workers that there had never been such an allowance paid, and that he was not aware of any similar payments at other works. About 19 workers in the dispatch section at the works were directly involved in the claim, he said. The urea arrives at the works in polypropelene bags which workers unload from open waggons. They also load out bags from the works.

Mr Moir said the bags were not dusty but the workers had complained that they were “clammy.” The company felt that there was already provision

for such handling in the form of an industry allowance of 22c an hour paid to all workers. They were also supplied with overalls and paid a clothing allowance. Mr Moir said that he had. sought the help of the conciliation service in Christchurch to try to get the dispute settled. The workers are members of the Canterbury branch of the Meat Workers and Related Trades Union. The organiser responsible for the related trades, Mr C. Knowles, said last evening that he had no knowledge of the strike. He would consult the works delegate today.