09 May 2006
ASTE Members at Manukau Institute of Technology take Industrial Action
Irena Brorens, Assistant Secretary in Auckland for ASTE Te Hau Takitini o Aotearoa, said today that ASTE members at MIT
had voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action. “This is the first time in over 10 years that members at MIT have
taken industrial action,” Ms Brorens said. “This shows the depth of their feeling at the inadequacy of the employer’s
offer”.
The union has made a salary claim of 4.0% over a 12-month term. Ms Brorens said that the management offer of 1.5% and
2.3% staggered over an 18-month term is far too low. “At a time when the CPI is 3.3% and with petrol prices predicted to
rise to over $2.00 a litre, our members want a real salary increase,” she said.
She went on to say that ASTE members have worked hard over a number of years which has helped MIT to achieve the
substantial reserves it has. “It is our members’ view that it is now time to invest in staff who are the greatest
resource of the Institution”.
ENDS