Workers walk out over 2.5%

Workers at a Wellsford industrial saw manufacturing plant walked off the job early this morning in anger at what is effectively a 2.5 per cent pay offer.

About 50 members of the night shift downed tools at 3am after rejecting a pay offer from Irwin Industrial Tools, and the day shift is now holding a stop-work meeting to consider their position.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the workers were extremely disappointed that, after nearly two months of negotiations, the company had not agreed to a five per cent pay rise.

“The workers have been offered what the company calls a four per cent pay rise this year, with another three per cent next year, but in order to get that four per cent they have to accept a cut in allowances,” he said.

“In reality, they are being offered 2.5 per cent.”

Irwin Industrial Tools is Wellsford’s largest employer. The day shift is meeting now, and the afternoon shift will meet at 3pm.

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