Union delivers 7000 open letters to Sistema boss
A union delegation has presented plastics manufacturer Sistema with 7000 open letters calling for it to lift the pay and conditions of its workers.
Sistema, which was bought for $660 million 18 months ago by a United States Fortune 500 company, produces containers that have become a staple in New Zealand kitchens and workplace tearooms.
E tu¯ said its action yesterday sent a strong message from the public to Sistema, which the union said it understood was struggling to find staff after revelations of offering low pay for 60-hour weeks.
Of the 500 production staff who work at its purpose-built Mangere plant, about 200 are union members.
A Sistema spokesman said negotiations were ongoing and mediation was scheduled for Tuesday.
Sistema chief operating officer Stuart Whyte accepted the 7000 signed petition letters on behalf of chief executive Drew Muirhead, who was not at the factory, and said he had ‘‘no further comments’’.
E tu¯ lead organiser Mat Danaher said Sistema was ‘‘a disgrace’’.
‘‘The way they treat their workforce is almost inhumane. They force them to work in hot conditions and long hours. They wouldn’t even let some of them sit down at work, which is a breach of the Health and Safety Act.’’