Sewers stay unflushed

Press, 2 May 1985, Page 8

Sewers stay unflushed

Essential services were being maintained by the Christchurch Drainage Board in spite of a strike by 160 workers which started on Monday, said the board’s chief engineer, Mr Peter Hunt, last evening. “We have been able to manage so far, but many jobs are not being done,” Mr Hunt said. “The rivers and drains are not being cleaned and the sewers are not being flushed, but services are still working at this stage.” He did not know how long the board could manage without the striking workers. “Obviously if you have a lot of workers out there is potential for problems if a

major emergency arises," he said. “All I can say is that the board is managing for the moment, although the staff doing the extra work are being inconvenienced and are under strain." The board’s labourers, drivers, cleaners, and gardeners started the indefinite strike because of a breakdown in their agreement talks. A Labourers’ Union field official, Mr Garth Lomax, said earlier this week that the striking workers were seeking a disability allowance paid to all other local body workers in Canterbury. The workers would meet tomorrow to decide what action to take.