A strike notice led to a productive win for E tū and FIRST Union members at Oji’s Penrose Mill in Auckland.
Members prepared to strike in December but instead secured a one-year deal with a 6% increase, including rates and allowances.
E tū delegate Maurice Upton says it was the threat of a strike which led to the company filing a lockout notice, and the resulting mediation that meant Oji finally listened to members’ concerns.
“It got all sides talking and both wanted a good outcome,” he says.
There were two sets of claims for FIRST and E tū members, who each work in different parts of the business – production and maintenance.
E tū claims were mostly around ensuring pay parity with other workers in similar roles across the industry, along with a decent pay rise to bring base rates up.
They also strongly supported FIRST members fighting for better job conditions and allowances.
Maurice says while some E tū members were disappointed the raise wasn’t higher given low base rates, 6% is probably the highest members have had as a one year deal, at least in the 18 years he’s worked there.