5 Aug 2009

Telecom service workers on strike

5:15 pm on 5 August 2009

More than 100 Telecom service workers have gone on strike in Auckland on Wednesday.

The technicians are among 900 workers Australian company Vision Stream wants to contract as owner-operators.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union, which represents the workers, says they have had a gutful of Telecom and are determined to fight back.

Telecom's network arm, Chorus, says the workers fix landline faults, and install broadband and phone services - and those on strike represent about a third of its workforce on the North Shore.

Chorus says customers may experience some delays, but faults will be prioritised.

The EPMU says a union meeting on Thursday will decide whether to continue the strike action.