Fair Share Industrial action to hit Auckland

April 4, 2005
Media Release

Industrial action to hit Auckland

Another strike in Fair Share campaign

Workers at Morgan Furniture in Auckland are the latest to take industrial action in the Fair Share pay campaign.

Some 60 workers from the North Shore factory that makes Lazi-Boy recliners will attend a mass stop-work meeting being held at Alexandra Park tomorrow morning, but will not return to work.

Instead, they will picket the plant in Archers Rd, Glenfield, and will not be back on the job until Wednesday.

The workers are members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union which is leading the Fair Share – Five in 05 campaign for a pay rise of at least five per cent for all working people.

Workers at the Colgate Palmolive plant in Petone, Wellington, walked off the job last night in their second 24-hour strike, and workers will attend a mass rally in Auckland tomorrow and Christchurch on Wednesday.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said that the Morgan Furniture workers had reduced their pay claim from a seven-per-cent rise for 12 months to six per cent for 14 months. The company has offered three per cent for 10 months.

The Colgate workers are seeking a five-per-cent rise for 12 months. During mediation last week the company increased its offer from 3.4 per cent for 12 months to five per cent for 15 months.

Meanwhile, negotiators in the key Metals agreement are preparing to return to the bargaining table in Auckland on Thursday.

The Metals and Manufacturing Industries Collective Agreement sets the going rates and conditions for thousands of manufacturing workers. Talks broke down on February 25 with the employers (represented by the EMA) making a final offer of 3.2 per cent for a one-year agreement. The workers reduced their claim from seven per cent to five per cent. Talks resumed last Wednesday.

Thousands of workers are expected to attend rallies at 10am tomorrow (Tuesday) at Alexandra Park in Auckland, and 1pm on Wednesday at Addington Raceway in Christchurch.

Ends

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