F.O.L. leaders head talks at troublespots

Press, 3 September 1984, Page 8

F.O.L. leaders head talks at troublespots

PA Auckland The Federation of Labour leaders, Mr W. J. Knox and K. G. Douglas, will be in Auckland today for talks on two industrial troublespots, the Marsden Point and New Zealand Steel expansion projects. Mr Knox, the F.O.L president, will head a union team in discussions with New Zealand Steel Development Company, Ltd. Mr Douglas, the F.O.L secretary, will speak with officials of the Marsden Point construction unions about the recent dispute which led to the dismissal of two site unionists. It is believed that the New Zealand Steel talks will examine the rash of stoppages which have hit the mill extensions site this year.

Mr Douglas refused to say what matters he would discuss with the Marsden Point unions.

“We will just discuss a number of matters including the coming inquiry (the Government’s Commission of Inquiry into industrial relations at Marsden Point).”

Marsden Refinery Constructors have sacked three more Labourers’ Union members who attended a stop-work meeting. One was the union’s safety officer, whom the union organiser, Mr Ray Bianchi, said was perhaps too conscientious about safety for the firm’s liking.

None of the three were identified.

MJLC. has already sacked the union’s riggers delegate for organising the stop-work meeting in mid-August to discuss why the whole site was not evacuated during a bomb scare.

M.R.C. has issued warning notices to its 730 staff who went to the meeting and it sacked those who had already had a final warning.

“Our safety delegate has been dismissed because he was previously on a final warning,” said Mr Bianchi. “He was acting .on the advice from this union in going to the meeting. It is quite clear he is conscientious about safety, perhaps too conscientious for the company’s liking.” MR.C. has said it will take legal action against the riggers’ delegate, Mr Danny Bradley, the site committee chairman, Mr Nelson Kelly, and three or four others it did not name, for instigating the meeting. However, it has dropped plans to prosecute all its workers who went to the meeting which it claims was unauthorised.

“It is hypocritical,” said Mr Bianchi “It is laws for some and not for others.”

The firm had prejudged the case against Mr Bradley by sacking him before a court hearing, he said.