Productivity pays off at Amcor Cartons

11 July, 2008

Productivity improvements have paid off for workers at Amcor Cartons in Lower Hutt with a 5% pay rise followed by another 4.5% next year.

EPMU organiser John Kerr says the deal is a landmark settlement in a print sector where many employers are choosing the low road instead of engaging with workers to lift performance.

"In a sector we're often told is struggling this employer has worked hard on productivity, and they've been able to do this by working constructively with the union to ensure it's a win-win situation.

"For example there's been a real focus on health and safety which has got lost time injuries right down. As a result our members are safer, productivity's up and wages are growing strongly. Our next step is to focus on workforce health and wellbeing to make everyone healthier and cut down lost time on sick days.

"The winning formula here has been to have progressive management and a good delegate structure, high union density and a good relationship between the union and management.

"That's not to say we don't have our differences, and of course we will continue to do so, but the important thing is to be able to work through them constructively and not let those differences get in the way of our long-term goals to lift performance."

Earlier this month the EPMU launched the Centre for High Performance Work, an initiative aimed at working with employers to lift business performance and improve wages and conditions.

The EPMU represents 50 members at Amcor Cartons' Lower Hutt site.