Day workers join strike
August 2, 2005
Day workers join strike
The day shift at the world's largest manufacturer of tungsten carbide-tipped circular saw blades, Irwin Industrial Tools in Wellsford, has just voted to join a strike over pay.
The nightshift walked out at 3am today in anger over what is effectively a 2.5 per cent pay offer.
About 70 members of the day shift met this morning to discuss the situation, and voted to join the one-day strike. The afternoon shift will meet at 3pm.
Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the workers were seeking a five per cent pay rise, and were extremely disappointed with the company’s offer.
“The company says it’s offering a four per cent rise this year, with another three per cent next year, but the offer comes with the proviso that the workers give up a lot of allowances,” he said.
“In effect, the offer is for 2.5 per cent.”
Irwin Industrial Tools (formerly Izard Irwin) is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-technology tools.
ENDS