Suspensions likely

Press, 8 March 1984, Page 1

Suspensions likely

PA Whangarei About 900 freezing workers employed at the A.F.F.C.O. Moerewa freezing works could be suspended by tomorrow morning after the decision of a clerical worker at the plant to leave the union.

The worker resigned from the Freezing Works Clerical Workers’ Union about three weeks ago. Two other clerical workers threaten to follow suit.

An A.F.F.C.O. spokesman, Mr Laurie Lane, said it was not possible for the plant to continue without its 28 clerical workers. The clerks had said they would not work with non-union labour and would withdraw their labour after their normal work yesterday. “The company is pretty powerless in this dispute. It is a question of the right of choice of an individual under the law of

the land,” Mr Lane said.

The 33 clerks involved in a voluntary unionism dispute at the Horotiu freezing works yesterday ended their four-day strike, but the dispute remained unresolved.

After two hours of shuttle diplomacy between Freezing Workers’ Clerical Union officials and A.F.F.C.O. management yesterday the clerks agreed to return to work. However the works assistant manager, Mr Douglas Longdill said the dispute surrounding the presence of a non-unionised clerk at the works was still to be resolved. He confirmed that the clerk was still on the company payroll. Production at an Otahuhu fertiliser factory stopped yesterday when 18 employees of the Challenge Phosphate plant walked out after learning that two

workmates had given notice of their intention to leave the North Island Chemical Fertiliser Workers’ Union. A company spokesman said he was not certain when the resignations would take effect. Union officials could not be reached for comment last evening.

Deliveries of Anchor butter were blocked in Auckland yesterday when 35 drivers at Anchor Farm Products Co-operative, Ltd, struck when one driver withdrew from the Northern Drivers’ Union and a second man, a new employee, refused to join.

Six stores workers walked out in sympathy with the drivers.

The men will meet today to review their action.

Company representatives were unavailable for comment.