Call for donations as Ecolab strike enters third week

The EPMU is putting out a call for donations to help Ecolab workers now into their third week of full strike action to get decent industry standards.

The workers want the $5.5 billion chemical giant to sign onto the Metals MECA, an agreement that provides security and regular pay increases for workers in more than 100 New Zealand manufacturing firms.

But the company claims its American owners have a “philosophical objection” to industry-wide employment agreements and are refusing to sign up to the Metals.

EPMU manufacturing industry organiser Stuart Hurst says Ecolab workers are standing strong in the face of an incredibly aggressive multinational company.

“All these guys are asking for is to be paid the going rate in the industry but the company is refusing to budge on anything.

“We tried offering the company a variation to the Metals to ease their concerns and they turned around with an offer even lower than the last one, including conditions that are illegal under New Zealand law.

“Ecolab management insist their American owners will not abide by an industry agreement and they’ve even given workers on individual contracts a higher pay rise than they’re offering the union.”

Hurst says the dispute has wider implications for New Zealand workers.

“Everyone recognises that New Zealand has a low wage economy and that we need to lift wages if we’re going to close the gap with Australia, but that won’t happen without strong industry agreements like the Metals.

“Our members are showing a lot of backbone in the face of some real employer aggression but they’re determined to be treated the respect and given basic industry standards. It’s not that much to ask.”

The EPMU is providing support to the striking workers at Ecolab from the recently established Industrial Hardship Fund but is calling on members and supporters to pitch in where they can by making a donation to the strike fund. You can make a donation by calling the Union Support Centre at 0800 186 466.