Workers at Fletcher's Hunua quarry strike over 'dangerous' working conditions

Quarry workers are picketing the Hunua quarry today over what they say are unfair working conditions. Photo / Google Maps

Quarry workers for construction giant Fletcher Building were demonstrated for more pay outside the company's quarry on Hunua Rd this morning.

The Winstone quarry workers started their protest, calling for a pay increase and shorter hours, at 5am.

First Union spokesperson Bryce Hamilton said the company wasn't offering workers enough to keep up with the cost of living.

"Workers clock long hours to earn enough to live on. Rent prices are going up and up, but wages are stuck."

Fletcher Building, however, said it valued its quarry and transport workers highly.

Last month, the quarry workers staged a one-day walk-off to protest against their pay and conditions.

"Quarry work can be dirty and dangerous and the workers' site is classified as 'high hazard' by Worksafe. This isn't easy work and the workers deserve recognition for that," Hamilton said.

First Union is also taking legal action against the company for offering workers individual agreements during collective agreement negotiations. The union claims the company's actions have undermined collective agreement negotiations.

Fletcher Building said the workers' action would not affect its quarrying or transport operations.

It said its proposals would ensure they remained well paid compared with others in the sector, "with wage increases higher than the New Zealand average over the past 12 months".

"The average wage increase for the past 12 months across New Zealand was 1.9 per cent," the company said, citing the Victoria University Centre for Labour, Employment and Work.

"We are committed to ensuring our employees have safe working conditions, and this has been confirmed independently as the Hunua site recently passed an ACC safety audit."

The company said that during bargaining for the new agreement, a significant number of members had quit the union, stating they were dissatisfied with the union's approach.

"Where they have approached the company, they have been offered IEAs [individual employment agreements] as Fletcher Building is legally entitled to do."