More than 1000 strike at Carter Holt

More than 1000 workers at Carter Holt Harvey plants around the country are taking industrial action today in protest at the company's refusal to agree to five per cent pay rises.

The action is the start of the nationwide Five Per cent-Plus campaign at Carter Holt Harvey by members of the National Distribution Union, the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), and the Amalgamated Workers' Union.

Today's action includes strikes, stop-work meetings and pickets -- including one outside the company's head office in Auckland.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said that the aim was to send a clear signal to the company that workers were united in their push for a five per cent rise.

"This campaign involves members of three unions, at sites all over the country," he said.

"They understand that the only way to persuade the company to pay the going rate is to stand together. This company is in a financially strong situation. It has good cashflow and can afford to pay a reasonable pay rise."

New Zealand businessman Graeme Hart has just bought a controlling interest in the company, which is the largest forest-products conglomerate in Australasia.

- NZPA