Staff walk off job at tools plant

Nightshift staff at an industrial plant walked off the job this morning angry at what they say is an unacceptable pay offer.

About 50 staff at Irwin Industrial Tools in Wellsford, about 115km north of Auckland, downed their tools at 3am, and the day shift staff were this morning holding a stopwork meeting.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union had sought a 5 per cent pay rise for staff and was unhappy at the company's response.

"The workers have been offered what the company calls a 4 per cent pay rise this year, with another 3 per cent next year, but in order to get that 4 per cent they have to accept a cut in allowances," a spokesman said.

"In reality, they are being offered 2.5 per cent."

About 70 day shift staff later voted to join the strike. Afternoon staff were due to meet at 3pm.

The union spokesman said Irwin Industrial Tools was Wellsford's largest employer.

- NZPA