26 July, 2010Nearly 2,000 workers at 120 firms ratify union agreement for pay increases and an extra day of holidays in 2011
NEW ZEALAND: Nearly 2,000 engineering and manufacturing workers will have pay increases above inflation and an extra holiday in 2011 after the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) members voted to ratify the Metals and Manufacturing multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) on July 23, 2010.
The new Metals and Manufacturing multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) ratified by EPMU members, provides for a three per cent increase on all printed wages and allowances this year, followed by a three per cent increase next year, and a one-off holiday to acknowledge that, for the first time, Anzac Day holiday will fall on the same day as the Easter Monday holiday in 2011.
"The trend-setting Metals agreement is now set to grow, with EPMU members at other sites organizing to join its coverage. If small to medium enterprises can offer a three per cent pay rise and an extra day of holiday then there's no reason why larger, more profitable employers can't do better," said Andrew Little, EPMU national secretary.
The Metals and Manufacturing MECA is the EPMU's largest multi-employer collective agreement, representing nearly 2,000 workers at 120 firms.