Union calls for assurance over power supply

Monday, 29 March 2004, 4:31 pm
Press Release: Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union

March 29, 2004
Media Release

The union that represents manufacturing workers is calling for assurances on future energy supplies in the wake of today’s announcement that Project Aqua is being dropped.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said that while the union did not have a view on the environmental issues involved in the Meridian Energy plan to dam the Upper Waitaki River, it had very strong views on New Zealand’s need for a sustainable energy supply.

“Last year we saw plants sitting idle and workers losing jobs because the country didn’t have enough energy,” Mr Little said.

“We know that lack of certainty over the electricity supply is hindering business investments in New Zealand, and therefore costing us jobs. Ensuring we have a continuous supply is a major priority for this country.”

Ends

EPMU - Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union

Proudly representing New Zealand workers

The EPMU is a democratic union representing over thirty thousand members in ten industries across New Zealand.
By standing together in a union workers get higher wages and better conditions.
As the country's biggest private sector union the EPMU can provide members with workplace representation, legal advice, a freephone support centre, work rights education and broad representation through the EPMU's campaigning and research work.
We campaign for fairness at work and a strong economy based on skilled jobs and investment in manufacturing.

CONTACT EPMU - ENGINEERING PRINTING AND MANUFACTURING UNION

Website - www.epmu.org.nz/
Media Contact - Stephanie Rodgers
Twitter - @EPMU

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