Mercer Stainless workers strike to protect conditions

April 23, 2013

Mercer Stainless workers strike to protect conditions

Workers at Mercer Stainless have walked off the job today in protest against management attempts to slash their redundancy entitlements and annual leave.

The strike began at 12pm and will continue for the rest of the day, effectively halting production at the company’s Christchurch and New Plymouth plants. Workers will return to work in good faith tomorrow, subject to an indefinite overtime ban.

EPMU director of organising Alan Clarence says strike action is always a last resort, but the company’s behaviour means workers have been left with no other option.
“This is quite simply a case of a profitable company trying to boost its margins by cutting its workers’ most basic entitlements to redundancy and annual leave.

“We’ve been trying to talk sense with the company since October last year and even went to mediation and came to an agreement, but the company went back on that too. This is just grasping and opportunistic behaviour and our members have had enough.

“Our members don’t want to take strike action but they’re determined not to be pushed around. Management would be wise to drop this misguided attack and come back to the negotiating table in good faith.”

Mercer Stainless produces a range of stainless steel products for domestic and industrial use.

The EPMU represents 75 workers at Mercer Stainless.

ENDS

© Scoop Media