Strike at Fairfax newspapers

September 26, 2005

Media Release

Strike at Fairfax newspapers

Workers at two Fairfax newspapers are holding a lightning 24-hour strike and are now picketing in the main street of Upper Hutt.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that 17 workers from the Hutt News and the Upper Hutt leader walked off the job this morning in frustration at the company’s refusal to settle their collective agreement.

“This dispute has dragged on for nearly two months, and it is time it was settled,” he said.

“These workers are seeking a five per cent pay rise, which is very reasonable in the current climate. The company has dropped its pay offer from 3.5 per cent to 3.2 per cent, and says it won’t backdate any settlement.”

Mr Little said it was likely there would be more industrial action this week if the dispute wasn’t settled.

Other newspapers covered by the same collective agreement are the Kapi-Mana News and the Kapiti Observer.

ENDS

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