Tiwai Point workers go on strike over slow pace of collective employment agreement talks

Workers at Tiwai Point aluminium smelter say they are sick of waiting after more than two years of unsuccessful bargaining.

E tū union members at the Rio Tinto-owned smelter in Southland have been in bargaining for a new collective employment agreement since 2024.

Workers started striking outside the smelter on Monday morning, with more industrial action expected later this week.

Operator and firefighter Dee Meikle said it was a joke how long negotiations had been taking and she wanted the company to listen.

In an earlier statement, Rio Tinto said it provided a competitive package and would continue to engage with the union and staff in good faith.

Mediation will restart later this month.

More to come.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.