FIRST Union members at Crane Distribution NZ in Onehunga have taken strike action this week in support of a better pay offer.

They are facing a Fletcher-wide pushback on any pay rises over 2 per cent. 

The workers are paid between $32,500 and $36,000 a year, which is not an adequate living wage, and they have been bargaining with the company for a 3 per cent increase.

FIRST Union organiser Jarod Abbott said Crane is one of the most profitable parts of Fletcher Building Limited. 

Its operating earnings were $106 million in the year to 30 June 2012, up 14 per cent on 2011.

“When it comes to sharing a little of that profit with the workforce that helps it achieve these results, Fletcher’s Crane Distribution have fallen well short of the mark,” he said.