15 Sep 2005

PNG power workers to strike next week

8:10 pm on 15 September 2005

The union for workers at Papua New Guinea Power, the Energy Workers Association, says 80-percent of members have voted to take strike action next week.

The Association's Philip Kaira says the government has not responded to workers' concerns over management decisions to hire an expatriate CEO ahead of a local at the government-owned corporation.

Workers also want the removal of the board chairman, John Jeffrey, and the termination of a contract with the Australian consultancy firm, Korda Mentha.

Mr Kaira says members decided against immediate strike action given it's Independence Day tomorrow.

"There will be no power disruptions or strike during this period. However from Monday onwards next week, the executives have decided what it can do on Monday and Tuesday onwards cos there is noone coming forward to talk to the union eventually there will be instructions going out to the union on when the strike will be staged."

Philip Kaira says they are likely to go on strike next Wednesday.