Recycling workers with disabilities fired

Two of the Village Community Trust workers sacked by recycling company Streetsmart have denied claims they couldn't do the work they were expected to do.

Auckland-based Streetsmart took over the Tasman District Council recycling contract last Monday. By Tuesday, it had fired four workers with disabilities, who had worked for the former recycling contractor.

One of them, Greg Huston, said he had been employed sorting recyclable materials and denied he did not have the skills needed.

Fellow worker Bevan Dick said when the four were told they had jobs with Streetsmart, the manager who interviewed them said he would write up employment contracts, but they never eventuated.

He did not say the positions were temporary, Mr Dick said.

The two men did not wish to elaborate on their disabilities.

Managing director Grahame Christian said last week the workers were laid off because they lacked the necessary work skills.