Strike action to continue until Steel and Tube deals with workers fairly

Workers at Steel and Tube sites across New Zealand have chosen to continue targeted strike action until management agree to negotiate fairly with them.

The workers, who are represented by the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and FIRST Union, are more than happy to negotiate changes to their hours and days of work to cover the business’ needs.

However, Steel and Tube have insisted on completely removing days and hours of work provisions and paying workers a flat rate for all hours worked.

“Steel and Tube want to be able to make workers answer their beck and call, and ignore their basic right to negotiate decent terms and conditions around days and hours of work,” says Steve Westoby, the EPMU organiser who represents workers at Steel and Tube. “That’s simply unfair.”

“In the long term, it drives down wages and conditions for every worker at Steel and Tube and across the industry.”

The EPMU and FIRST arranged a mediation session with Steel and Tube management last week in an effort to come to an agreement.

“Unfortunately Steel and Tube are refusing to see common sense,” says Steve Westoby.

“Workers just want to be treated fairly. They want their company to deal with them in a reasonable manner.

“Targeted strike action will continue until Steel and Tube drops its unrealistic demands and negotiates with its workers constructively.”

ENDS

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