News

Workers at NZ telecoms contractor Downer have taken their fight for fair wages to the door of Telecom New Zealand’s head office, protesting against the company’s failure to properly fund network maintenance work.



Downer workers have been fighting for a pay rise for several months. In April, they rejected a pay offer put by the company and voted to begin a campaign of industrial action. Since then they have undertaken stop works which have targeted not only Downer but also Telecom New Zealand (TCNZ) for which Downer provides services.



The EPMU, the union representing Downer employees, says that TCNZ’s low contract prices are pushing down conditions and stopping investment in skills in the industry.



“The employer might be Downer, “ says EPMU organiser Kelvin Ellis, “ but they are just a contractor and Telecom can’t just wash its hands of responsibility for wages and investment in skills in the industry.”



The EPMU has encouraged members of the public to join in the protest. After all, they argue, it is consumers who lose out in the end when skills and network investment aren’t being supported.