14 Oct 2010

Striking workers all Maori or Polynesian

8:01 pm on 14 October 2010

The apiha Maori of the National Distribution Union says that all of the workers on strike at a recycling plant in Takanini are either Maori or Polynesian.

Syd Keepa says the dozen workers went out because the multi-national company Transpacific refused to increase its pay offer from more than 70c an hour.

Mr Keepa told Waatea News that workers who've been at the plant for more than a decade get $13.86 an hour for dangerous and dirty work, while their counterparts working for the same company in Australia start at $21 an hour.

He says representatives from the Transport Workers Union of Australia have come to New Zealand to support the strike, which could include taking action against containers loaded by strike- breakers.