Pastry workers strike over poor pay and working conditions

  • 26/10/2016
Workers are picketing outside the company for the next two days (Getty / file)
Workers are picketing outside the company for the next two days (Getty / file)

Workers at Pastry House in Manukau have lost their appetite for work, striking over poor pay and working conditions.

Thirty-seven workers have walked off the job on Tuesday after the company has offered a 1.5 percent rise in wages a year over two years.

E Tū Union organiser Alvy Tata insists members deserve much more than the low-ball offer.

"We're hoping the employer will come to the party and strike action is the last resort," she told Newshub.

"We're willing to talk, they've just closed down the conversation, so we're just waiting. The ball's in their court, we're just waiting for them to respond."

Workers claim they are already understaffed and underpaid ahead of the company's $2 million site upgrade, and Ms Tata says if they can afford to upgrade, they can afford to up pay.

"At the moment because of the two new contracts that they've secured, they know that work is going to double up. They know there's going to be more work for them, potentially with the same amount of staff."

Workers are picketing outside the company for the next two days.

Newshub.