29 August 2011
Lightning strike at Weltec
TEU members at Weltec walked straight out from their jobs this afternoon after voting to go on strike over pressure from
their employer to increase their working hours.
The polytechnic wants to increase staff weekly duty hours, remove all discretionary leave from new staff and tell
existing staff how they can use their discretionary leave as well as claim the flexibility to require staff to work any
hours between 7.00 am and 9.30 pm Monday to Sunday.
"Weltec is doing well very with its current staff and current employment conditions," said Phil Dyhrberg, TEU organiser.
"Last year Weltec had a surplus of 3.6 million. It got more revenue both from government and from other sources. It grew
its asset base by $5 million. But when it comes to staff it wants longer working hours, the possibility of working late
into the evening on Sundays, and less say for staff over how they use their leave."
"All this means more workload for staff who are already working efficiently and doing a good job," Said Mr Dyhrberg.
ENDS