Carter Holt staff return to work

Striking staff at Carter Holt Harvey's Whangarei timber plant are returning to work next week as their union begins talks with the company's new owner, Graeme Hart's Rank Group.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) national secretary Andrew Little said the 200 striking workers voted "overwhelmingly" today to end their strike, which began on September 23.

"We have talks with representatives of the Rank Group scheduled for Monday, and all workers will be back at work by then," Mr Little said.

Rank Group earlier this year bought a 50.5 per cent controlling interest in Carter Holt Harvey. It is currently trying to buy out the rest of the company, and by Wednesday had passed the 60 per cent mark.

Rank Group yesterday extended its $3.3 billion offer for Carter Holt by 21 days to November 3.

EPMU had previously been negotiating with Carter Holt. Talks had reached an impasse.

The workers had said they wanted a 5 per cent pay rise. Carter Holt offered them 3 per cent but said the workers' demands, including new allowances, added up to a rise of nearly 10 per cent.

EPMU spokeswoman Adelia Hallett would not say if any new offers had been made.

Mr Little said boiler and maintenance workers at the Whangarei plant would return to work at 7am tomorrow, with a full return by Monday.

- NZPA