October 11th, 2006
NDU/EPMU Joint Media Release
Feltex workers won’t come cheap
National Distribution Union and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union representatives will be meeting with
Godfrey Hirst in Wellington over the next two days to discuss the fate of Feltex workers.
The workers are under threat of reduced terms and conditions under a new collective agreement with Godfrey Hirst but the
unions are determined to get a decent deal.
NDU National Secretary Laila Harré says a reduction in pay and conditions is unacceptable.
“Because of Feltex’s size and stature its collective agreement was a benchmark for the industry, now Godfrey Hirst has
signalled their intention to reduce that benchmark and that will impact further than just this one company – we’re going
to fight to stop that happening.”
EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little agrees.
“Godfrey Hirst has got the company cheap, now they want the workers cheap too, that’s just not good enough.”
ENDS