Pulp & Paper Union Members To Vote On Pay Offer

Pulp and Paper Union members will consider a pay offer today, which may see them return to work tomorrow.

It comes over a month, after 145 workers were locked out of the Essity site in Kawerau.

There have been several days of facilitated bargaining between Essity and the union.

Essity has accepted the recommendations, from the Employment Relations Authority.

They include 5% pay rise and a one-off $4000 payment this year, then a 4.5% rise and $3000 next year before another 4% rise in 2024.

Under the ERA’s recommendations, the agreement will expire in July 2025.

Essity's Kawerau General Manager Peter Hockley says, it plans to resume production tomorrow, if the Union and employees accept the offer.

The union had been in pursuit of a 7 percent pay increase to match inflation.

Union secretary Tane Phillips says, members would discuss the deal today and a vote would follow.

Essity has withdrawn all legal claims against the Union - after threatening to sue 67 staff for more than $500,000 in damages.