24-hour strike at Risdon refinery

Wednesday, September 22, 1993 - 10:00

24-hour strike at Risdon refinery

By Dave Wright

Hobart — Five hundred workers went on a 24-hour strike at Pasminco Metals EZ Risdon zinc refinery on September 13. The strike was in response to imminent job cuts and the breakdown in negotiations for a 4.5% wage claim.

Pasminco is currently undertaking a review of its operations at Risdon. It recently sacked 30 management staff, with another 90 to be sacked shortly.

FIMEE state organiser Jeff Long said, "Workers fear it will be their turn next. Our primary concern is uncertainty over the future."

The company said that it was undertaking the review because it still lagged behind its international competitors in productivity. At this stage, it appears that as many as 150 workers may be sacked.

From GLW issue 116