Metals meetings endorse union claims

29 May, 2009

 Mass member meetings in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch have endorsed the union's claims for the renewal of the Metals & Manufacturing MECA.

The meetings were well attended, with full houses across the country and standing room only in the Wellington meeting. More than 1300 members took part nationwide.

EPMU Metals advocate Stu Hurst says the huge participation is a strong signal to employers.

"Workers believe they deserve and can justify a fair and reasonable wage movement to maintain their living wage.

"These meetings are a strong endorsement of our claims and an even stronger message to employers that workers are serious about maintaining their standard of living through the recession.

"The Metals is the EPMU's largest multi-employer agreement and the wage path we set here affects the pay packet of every worker in New Zealand. That makes this campaign important for every Kiwi worker."

Bargaining is set down for June 3 and is scheduled for three days.

Photos from the Wellington meeting are available on the EPMU's flickr site here.