Union gets first call about asbestos probe

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 9

Union gets first call about asbestos probe

A Labourers’ Union call for past employees of the former Fletcher Industries factory! in Christchurch suffering from asbestosis or asbestos-re-lated Illnesses has already received a response. Within hours of the release of the news that the union had demanded an investigation into the fate of former employees of the Mandeville Street factory, the union was approached by I a man who had worked there. The union’s southern branch secretary, Mr Barry Brown, said for years the union had been concerned about inquiries from members. “We have] been frustrated by hot knowing what to do with them,” he said. .| i

; He said the union had between three and four inquiries within the last 12 months,' but the death of Mr) Clarence Bell this iyear and an approach by (his prompted the call for an investigation. II j ( (:! ;• I Mr | Bell made asbestos boards at the factory for |23 years until the workshop: (was closed in 1973. He died in (February from lung! cancer, believed by his surgeon to have been causejd by a long exposure to! asbestos dust and fibres.!. Mr| Brown said Mr Bell was I one of several workers exposed to asbestos at the factory. He! said the union had 1 not [<yet approached Fletcper Industries. "I 1 would imagine this

will i probably come as I a bit of a(| bombshell that this has surfaced |at alt When | you! close a plant in 1973 you (do not expect it to resurrect itself 15 years later.’? ‘|i -|' If! I The, : problem with asbestos was that the; effects 4?ere (not I knownjmmediately, Mr Brown said. . I I "There; is not going to be an easy solution, but clearly we have a rej sponsibility. to pursue; this,’; he said. ’ ! The union would call a meeting! of former : em--ployees and family to assess the facts and perhaps organise medi;cal examinations. Then, and onlyll if! (the union was asked by members, a claim would be lodged against | Fletcher Industries i for compensation.