Picket lines forming in Waikato

PETER DRURY/ Waikato Times

PEOPLE POWER: Tertiary Education Union members picket outside Wintec's city campus.

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Picket lines are forming in the Waikato as frustration with pay rates led to two strikes yesterday, with other industrial action looming.

Forty workers at the Waharoa Open Country Dairy plant began eight days of industrial action last night, with some picketing at the factory gate from 4.30am today.

Six workers from another plant crossed the picket line at the company's Waharoa factory early this morning to help keep the milk flowing.

Matamata police said they were looking into an altercation between two Open Country employees at the factory on Monday which allegedly led to a minor assault.

Sergeant Graham McGurk received the complaint of an assault yesterday after the Waikato Times heard about it from workers.

Yesterday, about 230 Wintec staff members went on strike at its Anglesea St and Avalon Dr campuses and promised more action to come.

The institution's nursing department was most affected with a large number of the union members from that area.

Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly said the timing of the actions was partly coincidence because of some agreements expiring at the same time but also down to "unrealistic bosses" and a cost-cutting tone set by the Government.

Ms Kelly said there was also worker unrest and "harsh bargaining" in the region at large employers such as Telecom and The Warehouse.

Striking Open Country worker Mike Wilkinson said today the strike was in protest at the company trying to use temporary staff it could make redundant with little notice.

Workers had tried discussing conditions with management before calling in the union 10 weeks ago, Mr Wilkinson said.. Workers invited the union in because they felt they were not getting an honest deal, he said.

He also doubted Open Country could keep the factory open. "I'd be very surprised if they can do it for eight days they are already getting rid of some milk to Wanganui."

About 230 Tertiary Education Union (TEU) members were involved at Wintec yesterday with lecturers and tutors picketing the tertiary institution's campuses on Anglesea St and Avalon Dr. Amid the beeps of support and cheers on the picket line, union organiser Jenny Chapman said she hoped the rare industrial action would "send a strong message" to employers.

"The percentage increase that we've been offered is pretty insulting, it pissed a lot of people off," Ms Chapman said.

"We just think what they are asking is unacceptable." Six polytechs, including Wintec, were involved in the stalled multi-employer negotiations.

Union members walked off the job in protest at their employer's proposal to increase teaching days by 10 per cent, and a 1 per cent pay rise over 2 1/2 years. Another part of the proposal surrounded discretionary leave conditions.

Wintec chief executive Mark Flowers tried to downplay the effect the strike had on students, saying it was "disruptive, but they can do other work that can be set for them".

Mr Flowers said non-union staff would be brought in to cover striking staff "in some cases". "It's a complicated issue and not one that is easily solved. It's not as simple as just signing a cheque."

Meanwhile, the Fire Service is disputing union claims its firefighters are underpaid.

New Zealand Fire Service chief executive Mike Hall said that last year 87 per cent of paid firefighters received remuneration of over $70,000 with the average being $82,000. Many earned over $100,000.

- © Fairfax NZ News