Auckland hit by industrial trouble

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 8

Auckland hit by industrial trouble

PA Auckland Trade union pressure for wage rises, in one case for 43 per cent, is causing industrial disruption in Auckland. Some workers have been suspended, and one industrial source predicted yesterday that thousands could be laid off throughout the city if troubles continued. Included among the disputes are. • An indefinite strike from today by gasfitters employed by the Auckland Gas Company, in support of a 43 per cent wage increase. • A strike by bakers at Irvine’s Bakery. • A strike by maintenance fitters at Dominion Breweries which threatens the company’s beer production. • A continuation of the eight-day strike by workers at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery at Birkenhead. '' Twelve gas fitters who

repair gas appliances and pipes in homes have given the Auckland Gas Company notice of their intention to strike from today. However, the company’s marketing manager, Mr Ross Parker, said that any emergencies would be dealt with quickly by supervisory staff. Mr Parker said the dispute arose when negotiations broke down on a company house wage agreement. “Their (the gas fitters’) union originally sought increases of 43 per cent. The company has offered 21 per cent, made up of 8 per cent on the award rates plus various industry-related allowances.” Officials of the Plumbers’ Union, which represents the fitters, could not be reached for comment. About 50 workers at Irvine’s Bakery, a division of General Foods, have been on strike since June 18 in

support of a claim for an additional 3 per cent wage rise. The Bakers’ Union negotiated an 8 per cent increase for the workers in February but three months later the union lodged a claim for an extra 3 per cent. No progress was made yesterday towards settling the strike by production workers at the Chelsea Sugar Refinery. However, many food-pro-cessing companies are considering suspending production workers if they cannot get sugar. An industrial source said that thousands of Auckland workers could be laid off towards the end of next week if the row was not resolved. It is believed that maintenance fitters at Dominion Breweries have been on strike for about two days over an internal pay relativity argument. Neither union nor company officials could be reached for comment.