Striking Auckland StelTech engineers win pay rise

Striking Auckland StelTech engineers win pay rise

Auckland StelTech engineers in the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) have won a three percent pay rise from the New Zealand Steel subsidiary following a two week strike.

The strike action was prompted by the company refusing to give the engineers a pay rise for the second year running.

The new agreement is for a pay rise of three percent over 12 months and other improvements including a $3,500 lump sum retention payment paid in two parts and a guarantee the workers will be offered redundancy if the company is sold during the next 12 months.

EPMU organiser Steve Westoby says he's pleased with the result.

"It was important for our members to get a fair pay rise this year after the company scrapped a bonus scheme last year which meant they lost around $10,000 each out of their annual pay packet,” he says.

"The best thing about this is that the members held their own for two weeks, gaining ground on both pay and conditions," he says.

The deal was agreed on Friday 25 June in mediation and covers all eleven engineers working for StelTech.

ENDS

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