24 November 2015

Electricity infrastructure workers set to strike next week

113 E tū members employed by PowerNet and Otago Power Services will take strike action next week, if the companies don’t improve their offers at negotiations this Thursday.

The workers involved manage and maintain the electricity networks for large parts of Southland and Otago, from Invercargill to Ranfurly.

E tū Organiser Trevor Hobbs said that workers had not accepted the companies’ increase offer of just 1.5%.

“That’s below the industry standard. Workers are only asking for 3%, but the companies are refusing to budge at this point,” Trevor said.

“PowerNet and Otago Power Services employees work extremely hard, often doing erratic hours and working in difficult weather conditions. Thet provide a core service to the community.

“Early this year PowerNet chief executive Jason Franklin reported that it had been ‘a great year’ for the company. The workers who made that happen should be thanked with a reasonable pay rise.”

Trevor said that strike action would involve an overtime ban for two weeks, meaning that striking workers will only work between 7:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday, and would work no longer than 40 hours per week.

“If there are any faults outside of normal operating hours, some parts of the lower South Island might not have their power back on as soon as they might hope.

“We’re part of a tight-knit community in the South, and the union doesn’t want to see the power go off for anyone. Strike action is always a last resort, but we’ve yet to see a reasonable offer.”

The action will end on 14 December, but Trevor did not rule out that workers may take further action if the negotiations were not settled.

ENDS

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