Australian union CFMEU supports EPMU

Australian union CFMEU supports EPMU in UGL pay dispute

The Australian Construction, Forestry, Mining & Energy Union (CFMEU) has come out in support of EPMU members in New Zealand in their pay dispute with Australian company United Group Ltd (UGL).

”The CFMEU has always campaigned for equal wages for workers performing the same tasks. It is disgraceful that UGL is treating Kiwi workers as second class citizens. The CFMEU joins with the EPMU in demanding UGL cease this discriminatory action immediately,” says CFMEU Construction Division National Secretary Dave Noonan.

Engineers, fitters and other workers in the EPMU working on the Waikato-Auckland power link issued notice of industrial action last weekend which is due to commence on 26 October.

The notice was issued after talks with UGL reached an impasse over remuneration and the higher payments the company makes to Australians brought in from across the Tasman to work on the power link.

The industrial action will include a ban on overtime, callout and standby arrangements.

Since the EPMU gave notice to the company, a date has been set for mediation between the EPMU and UGL on 21 October in Hamilton.

The Engineering, Printing & Manufacturing Union (EPMU) is New Zealand's largest private sector union, representing 3,000 workers in the electrocomms sector.

The CFMEU is Australia's main trade union in construction, forestry and forest products, mining and energy production.

ENDS

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