Metal workers vote to down tools

About 1500 metal workers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are expected to strike today over wages.

At a stopwork meeting yesterday, about 400 Auckland members of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union agreed to strike in response to their employers' offer of a 4 per cent pay increase.

The union is asking for a 5 per cent rise.

Some of the workers did not return to work after the meeting.

Union national secretary Andrew Little said he hoped the strike would have little effect on the public, but would make a statement to their employers.

"It's about demonstrating that we are organised, and our members are determined.

"The current state of the economy justifies a 5 per cent increase to all workers."

Mr Little said many employers outside the metals industry had said they could afford a 5 per cent increase.

Workers plan to strike for one day, with further negotiations set down for Monday.

Mr Little said most of the striking workers were in Auckland; lesser action was planned in Christchurch and Wellington.