Kawerau workers in registered union

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 28

Kawerau workers in registered union

PA ’ Wellington Pulp and paper workers employed at Tasman’s Kawerau mill are now officially members of a registered industrial union. The Northern Pulp and Paper Workers’ Federation officially applied for union registration during the height of the 10-week lockout at the mill. The Registrar of Industrial Unions, Mr John Scott, who signed the documents on Monday, said approval was given “fairly speedily.” “One of the main reasons is that there was

really no, objection be- 1 cause theirs is a sort of j unique occupation,” he i said. v-’.-,’; i Delays in registration i were usually to ensure 1 that other unions were not involved in coverage < sought by an applicant, he < said. i Union registration will I give pulp and paper I workers access to all. the 1 benefits available under s the Industrial Relations Act and enables unions to ’ get employers to come to < the bargaining table ’ within the arbitration set- ' up. J The acting secretary of i

the union, Mr Harold Appleton, described the registration as a bookkeeping matter which/ would have nb effect on the union’s functioning. The special committee established to hear disputes over Tasman’s move to introduce’ new technology and other staffing procedures is reported to be making steady progress. The standing committee was set up as a condition of the pulp and paper workers’ agreement to accept a Federation of Labour return to work recommendation.