Picket at Lower Hutt Colgate factory

Striking workers were picketing for a 5 per cent pay rise at the Colgate Palmolive plant in Petone, Lower Hutt, this morning.

Their action coincided with the visit today of the company's South Pacific general manager, Derrick Samuel.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union spokesman Andrew Little said the workers had walked off the job at 11pm yesterday .

More than 50 workers were picketing with placards and were determined to get a fair share of the company's profits, he said in a statement.

"That plant is highly profitable. These workers contribute significantly to that profit, and deserve to share in it."

Workers were handing leaflets to morning commuters at Petone railway station and the factory picket would continue until 10am

- NZPA