Media Advisory: National Distribution Union/Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union

Tuesday, September 19, 2006 7.30am

Unions and Progressive Seek Adjournment For 2.15pm

The National Distribution Union, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and Progressive Enterprises Ltd will be seeking an adjournment of today’s Employment Court Hearing by consent which is expected to commence at 2.15pm today and not 9.30 as originally set down.

The original press release is attached below.

---

Union Challenges Legality of Lock Out in Court

The National Distribution Union and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union will challenge the legality of Progressive’s lock out in the Auckland employment court at 9.15am today.

NDU National Secretary Laila Harre says that the case, which has been set down for three hearing days, is seeking an injunction against Progressive locking out 500+ distribution workers in Auckland, Palmerston North and Auckland.

“The National Distribution Union and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union are doing everything we can do to resolve this dispute,” she said. “The lock out is preventing bargaining occurring around the unions initiating notice for nationwide bargaining.”

Ms Harre said that this was a new untested area of law.

Ms Harre said that this case had taken priority over an injunction over Progressive’s use of illegal replacement labour for which no future date has been set.

Six Australian representatives from three transport unions in Australia will join a delegation of locked out workers at the court hearing.

Peter Craney is counsel for the NDU and EPMU.

ENDS

© Scoop Media