Dispute threatens S.I. salt supplies

Press, 18 March 1988, Page 2

Dispute threatens S.I. salt supplies

By GLEN PERKINSON South Island salt supplies could dry up if the four-week industrial dispute at Dominion Salt’s Lake Grassmere plant is not resolved soon. The company is concerned that supplies destined for southern areas will run short some time between tomorrow and next week. Freezing works would be the hardest hit, said Dominon’s general manager, Mr John Eggers. The dispute, over wage claims by six stationary engine drivers and boiler attendants, has run since late February. The union’s national president, Mr Jack Green, said the workers were prepared to return to work but he blamed Dominion’s management for refusing to negotiate. The six workers are

picketing the plant, near Blenheim, aind preventing salt leaving the plant or goods arriving. This resulted in the plant running out of L.P.G. which it needs for driving kilns which dry salt. The union) is demanding an 11 per cent wage increase and allowances, bringing a total weekly increase of [25 per cent. It was offered a 7 per cent across-the-board settlement by the management. | The 7 per cent increase would include present allowances but the company has rejected union claims for two additional allowances. The six workers want a brine allowance and a boilerhouse plant allowance. Mr Eggers described these as unacceptable

and said that in an “already declining market a 25 per cent increase is totally unrealistic.” He said the company was prepared to meet the union but prescribed a return to| work by) the strikers first. The workers have manned picket lines 24 hours each day since contending that the company was transporting salt to Christchurch by truck by night. Mr Eggers disputed this claim and the trucks entering the plant in darkness were ferrying staff to harvest salt Lake Grassmere’s 1 salt is harvested for three weeks each year about March and April. | Mr Eggers said supermarkets i might 'have stocks of salt but bakers, food processors I and freezing works would be threatened soon.