Ban wanted on shift work

Press, 16 January 1986, Page 2

Ban wanted on shift work

Meat inspectors at the Ashburton factory of Canterbury Venison, Ltd, want to place a ban on shift work at the factory. Shift work began at the processing plant earlier this week.

A dispute has arisen over the interpretation of the meat inspectors shift agreement. The Canterbury regional secretary of the Public Service Association, Mr John McKenzie, said there had been “inconsistent application” of the shift agreement, which was made by the Department of Agriculture and the State Services Commission.

The assistant commis-

sioner for industrial relations at the commission, Mr Dave Swallow, said the meat inspectors were claiming the work was “clock work,” for which overtime should be paid. The commission said it was shift work,

for which a shift allowance was payable. At a meeting at lunchtime yesterday the meat inspectors decided to ask the P.S.A. executive officers for approval to serve Canterbury Venison, Ltd, with 14 days notice of a proposed ban on shift work. Mr McKenzie said the meat inspectors wanted the dispute to be referred for mediation.