Union lifts ban on Chathams vessel

Press, 22 January 1988, Page 5

Union lifts ban on Chathams vessel

The Canterbury branch of the boilermakers’ union had lifted a ban on the Chatham Islands’ supply vessel Holmdale after a partial resolution to the union’s dispute with Sinclair Melbourne, Ltd. During a meeting yesterday, the Lyttelton engineering company agreed to abide by the union’s wishes for a "last on, first off” arrangement for four boilermakers being made redundant. One of the conditions was that the union lift its ban on the anchor of the

Holmdale. The supply vessel was due to leave for the Chatham Islands earlier in the week, and will now sail today. Mr Hugh Rice, the union secretary, said that the boilermakers would still continue to picket other work involving Sinclair Melbourne, Ltd, until the other issues surrounding the laid-off workers were resolved. One of the remaining sticking points is redundancy pay. "However, I believe we have solved one of the

major problems, because there was a community at the Chathams that would be suffering because of the ban on the Holmdale,’’ said Mr Rice. “The boilermakers will provide men at no charge to get the Holmdale loaded, to try to facilitate the sailing of the ship back to the Chathams, so the people can get all their provisions.” The union will meet with Sinclair Melbourne, Ltd, again today to try to resolve the outstanding issues.