Drivers pick next targets

Press, 8 December 1987, Page 8

Drivers pick next targets

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

industrial reporter

The rubber industry and Canterbury Frozen Meats are likely to be the next targets for industrial action by the Stationary Engine Drivers’ Union, says the union’s South Island advocate, Mr Norm Dewes.

The freezing industry

could be hit “after Wednesday,” while the rubber industry in the region would be affected “at any time,” he said last evening. Work at Stevens N.C.F. Kaiapoi returned to normal from midnight last night when boiler attendants at Kaiapoi and the company’s Ashley Meats plant went back to work. The return to work

would allow tradesmen’s talks to proceed unimpeded from tomorrow. Lincoln College boiler attendants had resolved also yesterday morning to go on strike but three of the four on the site later decided against action.

Management at the college were doing some boiler work. Mr Dewes said the

workers had returned because the college was paying above award rates. He warned that there was no guarantee these would continue.

“The employer won’t have to sustain the rates unless they are included in the award — otherwise they are not enforceable.” A spokesman for the college was not available for comment last evening.