About 900 F & P Healthcare production, maintenance and distribution workers at the company's Highbrook plant in Auckland have given 14 days notice of strike action over a pay dispute.
Unions representing the workers said it was the first time that F & P Healthcare workers have voted to go on strike in the company's 10-year history.
The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union and the National Distribution Union are negotiating for a 5.7 per cent pay increase while Fisher & Paykel Healthcare is offering 3 per cent for 11 months, followed by a further 2 per cent for 11 months.
The consumers price index rose by 5.3 per cent over the June year and the unions said the escalating cost of living was behind their claims.
The company is covered by the essential services provisions of the Employment Relations Act 2000, which means the unions are required to give 14 days' notice of industrial action.
