ISS withdraws lockout notices

Media Release – for immediate release

4June 2007

ISS withdraws lockout notices

Facilities services company ISS New Zealand welcomes the withdrawal of strike notices by the Services and Food Workers Union (SFWU) following progress in negotiations with District Health Boards.

ISS has responded by withdrawing lockout notices affecting about 300 workers for the same period – until midnight next Sunday.

“We acknowledge the union’s move because we believe continued negotiations – not strike action – offer the best opportunity of resolving this situation,” an ISS spokesperson said.

ISS, along with other major contracting companies, had been forced to respond to the thousands of strike notices issued by the SFWU with lockout notices. The majority of union issued strike notices remain in place covering most of June.

“The way union organisers have structured their threatened strike action had meant it would be impossible for us to do meet our obligations to the DHBs – and that impacts on health and safety within hospitals. That was why the lockout notices were issued“

ENDS

Issued on behalf of ISS New Zealand by: Mark Russell

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