Industrial action by TasNetworks staff appears likely to resume when a suspension order by the Fair Work Commission because of storm damage expires early next month.
The Communications, Electrical & Plumbing Union in Hobart’s recommending members reject an offer of a $6000 bonus and a wage rise of 14% across three years
Organiser Chris Clark expects future strikes.
“We are of a mind to strategically target major industries which was always our intention and we would more than likely adjust some of our previous actions to make sure mums and dads who have been battered by these storms were not affected by our industrial action.”
He rubbishes claims by TasNetworks that an increase of more than what’s offered would cause power price rises.
“It’s them trying to guilt trip our members and turn the public opinion against them and if pay parity were to make power bills increase you would expect that to happen on the mainland where workers are paid somewhere between 30% and 50% more.”
Contractors will plug away at repairing Tasmania’s remaining power outages caused by storms, while TasNetwork crews are given a break tomorrow and Friday because of the recent gruelling workload.
