Workers at a PlaceMakers' plant in South Auckland went on strike today after six months of deadlocked collective contract negotiations.
First Union organiser Mark Muller says workers at PlaceMakers' Frame and Truss, who are paid between $17 and $20 an hour, want penal rates for working more than 40 hours a week.
Mark Muller says they also want a night shift allowance restored.
He says the company has asked the union to come back to the bargaining table three times but has not budged on its offer of a 2.75 percent increase over 18 months.
He says PlaceMakers has failed to negotiate in good faith and workers are fed up with the lack of progress.
PlaceMakers says the plant has continued to operate but the strike action is "disappointing".
A spokesperson says the company is committed to the process, and hopes to meet with the union again next week.
She says there will be no disruption for customers buying frame and truss products.
