Cryovac deal ratified

Workers at Cryovac’s Porirua plant have just signed off on a deal that provides a significant increase in their terms and conditions.

The twelve month deal is backdated to September and offers pay rises of between 4.2% and 4.7%, extra allowances and extra on-off service holiday, more choice in additional shift pick-up and improved redundancy provisions.

EPMU organiser Mark James says the deal builds on previous gains to help create a solid collective agreement. “One of the main gains this year has been the increased control members have over their work-life. Because of Cryovac’s annualised hours agreement members were obliged to work up to 12 extra shifts over an eight week period – we’ve had that reduced to seven which means members can better manage their lives around their roster.”

“But we’ve also got some financial recognition of the productivity gains made by multi-skilled members,” says James, “in that there is now an allowance for workers who provide cover across departments.”

The Cryovac deal covers all 170 EPMU members and was ratified by a majority of 88%