Orora workers to take industrial action from Monday

Orora workers to take industrial action from Monday

240 workers at Orora Kiwi Packaging in Auckland, Hastings and Christchurch will begin a two-week overtime ban on Monday, after mediation with their employer did not resolve their bargaining issues yesterday.

“We talked to Orora management about dropping their claw-backs and offering a fair pay increase to their workers, but we weren’t able to reach a deal,” says Joe Gallagher, EPMU organiser for the packaging industry.

“Orora workers are not willing to accept erosion of their overtime and penal rates, or hours of work.”

“They have voted to take industrial action to demonstrate that they won’t be taken for granted and to demand that their contribution to Orora’s $3 billion business is recognised.

“Workers will refuse overtime for a fortnight. This could put a lot of strain on the supply of boxes for the kiwifruit, wine and meat industries.”

The overtime ban begins on Monday 30 March and could be extended if Orora management does not agree to bargain fairly.

ENDS

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