Fair-share strike at Sleepyhead

May 5, 2005

Fair-share strike at Sleepyhead

Workers at the Sleepyhead bed factory in Auckland are the latest to strike for a fair-share pay rise.

Some 180 workers will hold a one-day strike tomorrow, seeking a five per cent pay rise and time-and-half for overtime.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the company was making millions of dollars and could afford to start boosting pay packets.

“Sleepyhead was one of the companies that used the Employment Contracts Act to cut pay and conditions during the 1990s,” he said.

“These skilled workers are earning around $12 an hour. Paying them another 60 cents an hour, and compensating them when they have to do overtime, will not break the bank.”

The workers will picket outside the factory, at 41.47 Great South Rd, Otahuhu, between 7am and noon.

ENDS

© Scoop Media