Factory workers walk out

SCA Hygiene operations manager Mark Kennedy (L) and company president Peter Diplaris (R) speak with Prime Minister John Key (C) at the re-opening of the SCA Paper plant in Kawerau last month.

Workers at Kawerau's SCA Hygiene tissue manufacturing site have taken industrial action.

About 60 members of the Northern Federation of Pulp and Paper Workers Union walked out of the Kawerau factory yesterday morning, but the union would not say why.

Last month SCA Hygiene opened a $60 million expansion of the Kawerau tissue site. SCA Hygiene Australasia New Zealand operations general manager Mark Kennedy said the company was disappointed members decided to take industrial action, after so much money had been invested into the site.

"Changes associated with this $60 million expansion have been warmly welcomed by the bulk of our employees who appreciate the company's decision to invest locally here at Kawerau."

"Our aim is to get our people back to work as quickly as possible. We are urging the PPWU to work with us to ensure the obligations of both parties are met under the Employment Relations Act," he said.

A union representative, who did not want to be named, said union members were working with SCA management to resolve the issues. The representative did not want to comment on why the workers were striking.