Clyde Dam walk-out by Ministry workers

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 16

Clyde Dam walk-out by Ministry workers

PA Dunedin Clyde Dam workers employed by the Ministry of Works and Development and the Electricity Division walked out from the project on Tuesday after a dispute about work done by junior supervisors. As a result of the dispute a “small group” of workers refused to do work as directed and were deemed to be on strike, said the Clutha valley development project engineer, Mr Elwyn Hughes. After a meeting, 346 Ministry workers took supportive strike action, along with 22 workers employed by the Electricity Division. Mr Hughes said the last strike by Ministry staff in the Workers’ Union was in 1977 during a dispute over the suspension of a crane operator. The action on Tuesday did not include staff employed by the Zublin Williamson joint venture or salaried Ministry of Works and Electricity Division employees. “It means there will be no work on the power house, the reinforced earth wall above the right abutment of the dam, or the underground tunnels,” Mr Hughes said.

The installation of gen- • .erating equipment by Electricity Division workers would also be ~ stalled. Mr Hughes said the „■ union had told him workers would meet again ; on Monday.