Firestone ‘lock-out’ lifted for 250

Press, 21 August 1984, Page 8

Firestone ‘lock-out’ lifted for 250

Suspension notices issued to 250 rubber workers at the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company on Friday were lifted yesterday. A company spokesman expected the rubber workers to be back at work this morning. Boiler attendants and engineers- were also expected to return to work late last evening, he said. Full production at the tyre factory was halted on Tuesday when the 10 boiler attendants went on strike. This dispute led to the suspension of the rubber workers because the lack of steam had stalled processing. About 25 members of the Engineers and Related Trades Union walked out of the factory yesterday in protest against the “lockout” of boiler attendants on Sunday, said the secretary, Mr R. J; Todd.

He confirmed that they were expected to return to work for the 11 p.m. shift yesterday. The secretary of the Canterbury Rubber Worker’s Union, Mr Roger Brott, also confirmed that members of that union would return to work this morning. Boiler attendants and company officials will meet an industrial conciliator, Mr Brian Gray, on Thursday to tty to resolve the overtime dispute. The assistant secretary of the Stationary Engine Drivers’ Union, Mr Norman Dewes, said yesterday that union members had agreed to a full return to normal work with all restrictions lifted yesterday. But three members were turned away when they reported for work yesterday afternoon. They were told that they were not needed until this morning. They were no longer on strike, they were locked out, Mr Dewes said. “In a show of faith we lifted all restrictions and now we get treated like this. They (company officials) are looking for a fight,” he said. A company spokesman said he had believed that the boiler attendants would return to work at 11 p.m. yesterday. They were not

expected yesterday afternoon and there was no work for them as the engineers and the rubber workers had not returned to work, he said. Mr Dewes said that the company’s attitude might result in the boiler attendants not wanting to meet the company on Thursday. He would meet union members tomorrow to discuss the company’s actions, he said. “The company is going to have to convince us it is worth while to sit around that table on Thursday. I think they are just playing around.” If the Thursday meeting did not satisfactorily resolve the dispute, it could spread to other industries, said Mr Dewes. A stop-work meeting of all Christchurch boilerhouse staff could be held to discuss the dispute’s implications. It was essential to let other boiler attendants know what was happening as the outcome of this dispute could have implications throughout the industry, he said. The Canterbury ‘ Trades Council had-.; already endorsed his union’s request for support from other unions, Mr Dewes said.