Contract impasse for Hamilton council workers

Hamilton City Council is headed for mediation with staff after workers rejected a proposal to introduce shift-work and abandon penal rates.

More than 70 city workers yesterday downed tools to vote against the offer and warned they were prepared to resort to industrial action if the talks failed.

The council has been negotiating with National Distribution Union members - mainly parks and gardens and utilities staff - to renew a collective agreement covering about 100 staff.