CI Munro workers walk off job

December 18, 2007
Media Release

CI Munro workers walk off job

More than 80 EPMU members at Tourism Holdings-owned camper-van maker CI Munro walked off the job today after the company repeatedly refused to make them a decent employment offer.

The workers are angry CI Munro has refused to meet their expectations in terms of pay, service leave and overtime payments and is also refusing to pay equal rates for the same work across its two sites.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says union members worked with the company earlier this year when it wanted to relocate from Otorohanga to Hamilton to enjoy better business conditions.

“When CI Munro relocated the bulk of its work to Hamilton our members cooperated with them to ensure a smooth transition and the company knew it would have to pay Waikato rates rather than small town rates. CI Munro simply has to step up to the mark.

“We share CI Munro’s aspiration to have a state-of-the-art manufacturing business in Hamilton but you can’t make a big city business off small town wages.

“The reality is that the labour market supplying businesses like CI Munro isn’t just Waikato or even New Zealand, it’s Australasia and pay rates here need to be competitive if we don’t want to continue to lose good workers offshore.”

The strike began at noon today and workers will meet tomorrow to discuss ongoing industrial action.

ENDS

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