Strike at $5.5b chemical giant

March 20, 2008

EPMU members at chemical manufacturer Ecolab’s Hamilton plant entered mediation today following strike action last week over the company’s refusal to accept their claim to join the Metals industry agreement.

The Metals MECA covers more than a hundred manufacturing general manufacturing workplaces. The dispute now involves 15 chemical workers and is the first of its kind in the New Zealand operations of the US-based multinational.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the Metals sets a benchmark for wages and conditions in the manufacturing industry generally and workers have a right to expect a deal that’s up to standard.

“These workers have made a democratic decision to negotiate a deal which is consistent with industry standards but their employer has a policy of refusing all industry negotiations.

“Ecolab is a huge international enterprise that made five and a half billion dollars of sales last year, they give their Australian workers a much better deal including higher pay and extra shift leave but they aren’t willing to play fair with Kiwi workers.

“Everyone agrees New Zealand’s wages and conditions need to rise and the reality is this requires industry bargaining, especially when companies like Ecolab are so obstructive.”

The striking workers stand to gain industry standards like an extra week’s leave if they can bring Ecolab into the MECA.