SkyCity staff call strike over ‘unsafe’ workplace

SkyCity’s plans to get back to business after the destructive blaze at its $700 million convention project suffered a blow last night when union staff called a strike because they consider the workplace unsafe.

Unite Union senior organiser Joe Carolan said three workers had “passed out” and others had complained of sore throats after they went back to work after the casino reopened following the International Convention Centre fire.

“It’s the stuff that we’re breathing in and we were breathing it in for far too long,” Carolan said. About one third of the casino’s 3000-strong workforce are union members.

SkyCity said emergency officials had confirmed on Thursday that it was safe for business to resume.

“Air quality has been rigorously monitored over the past three days, consistently meeting all regulatory standards,” the casino operator said.

Disruption around the convention centre will continue next week with road closures and diversions in place. A recovery phase began yesterday — three days after the fire started — with a large crane placed on Nelson St.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand started a formal investigation yesterday into the cause and spread of the fire, which continued to flare during the day. Crews will remain at the site over the weekend and monitor hotspots.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service issued advice on how to clean up buildings, shops and apartments. It said smoke particles and the smell of the fire could persist and people could feel eye and nose irritation, or worsening asthma, breathing and heart conditions.

The service advised people living near the site to ventilate their places.

There were more signs though of normal activity in the CBD. The Sky Tower, SkyCity car parking and selected bars and restaurants in the precinct opened, as did the SkyCity Hotel and Grand Hotel.

Auckland Council, FENZ and Watercare were working closely to begin safely removing water accumulated during the firefighting response, from the basement of the convention centre.

Auckland Council Safeswim programme manager Nick Vigar said Watercare was confident the water being pumped into the wastewater network could be safely treated at the Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

It was expected to take up to another four days to remove the water, he said.