KEY POINTS:
Workers at a small Telecom subcontractor in Christchurch were picketing outside the giant telecommunications company's headquarters today during a 24-hour strike.
The 16 Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) members who work for Systemtech are striking in support of their claim for market pay rates.
"They're doing Telecom's work, but they're not receiving what they believe to be market remuneration in an industry where there's a massive skill shortage," EPMU organiser Kelvin Ellis said.
The workers, who install telephones and broadband, had logged more than 400 years' experience between them in the telecommunications business.
They were picketing Telecom because the telco giant was "ultimately responsible" for their wages.
"For years, Telecom has used a model of competitive contracting to squeeze every last dollar out of the business," Mr Ellis said.
"Systemtech can't pay more until Telecom pays more, so we're taking out protest to the source."
The workers were picketing outside Telecom's Christchurch headquarters from midday.
"We just want to send a message to Telecom staff while they come and go for lunch to let them know what's happening in their industry," Mr Ellis said.
Systemtech staff had been engaged in pay talks for the last six months over their claim for a 10 per cent pay rise.
Mr Ellis said the claim might appear "outrageously high" but it was estimated that would take their pay about halfway to what other industry contractors were paying.
He said the Systemtech staff were paid between $2 and $5 an hour less than the industry standard.
- NZPA
