January 19, 2005

Union launches campaign on wage rates

New Zealand’s largest union is out to push up wage rates.

In a column for members published on the Newsday site today, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little outlines a plan for a campaign to push up wages in the manufacturing sector, including industrial action if necessary.

Although Mr Little would not give specific details of the campaign, he said that the time was right for real wage growth in New Zealand.

“There has never been a better time to argue for a good pay rise, and there has never been a better time to be confident that a good pay rise is achievable,” he said.

The EPMU represents nearly 50,000 workers in the manufacturing sector, including aviation workers, forestry workers, postal workers, media workers, the automotive industry and miners. Its biggest collective agreement, the Metals industries agreement, covering more than 2000 workers at more than 200 companies, is due for renegotiation next month.

Mr Little’s column can be read on www.newsday.co.nz

ENDS

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