Misryoum reports E tū members at Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point smelter have voted for industrial action starting Monday after talks stalled.
A strike at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is set to begin next week after workers voted for industrial action following stalled negotiations.
Misryoum understands that E tū members at New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter in Southland, which is owned by Rio Tinto, have been bargaining since 2024. They voted to take action from Monday, after talks did not reach an agreement.
E tū says the dispute is rooted in what it describes as workers’ basic right to organise and secure a collective employment agreement. In the union’s view, the failure to agree reflects pressure that discourages collective bargaining.
That conflict matters because disputes at large industrial sites can quickly ripple through schedules, supply chains, and local employment. Even when the immediate concern is workplace terms, the impact can extend far beyond the gate.
E tū’s director Mat Danaher said the union sees the breakdown as a deliberate anti-union tactic, arguing the employer would prefer workers remain individual decision-makers rather than negotiating together.. Danaher also pointed to past industrial action in Australia as part of a broader pattern, according to Misryoum.
Rio Tinto, which operates the smelter, rejects the characterisation and says its offer is competitive. In a statement carried by Misryoum, the company said it will keep engaging in good faith and confirmed it will recommence mediation on 20 May.
The company said its priorities include safety, environmental stewardship, and keeping operations stable for local communities. It also argued that, even in a tough economic environment, it offers market-leading benefits to staff and those seeking to join the workforce.
Meanwhile, workers taking part say their position is straightforward. A delegate and production worker Dee told Misryoum the demands are not excessive, but centred on securing decent work and an agreement that reflects the job they do, the conditions they work under, and their contribution.
Misryoum reports that around 185 E tū members are expected to take industrial action on 4, 6, 8, and 10 May. E tū has framed the action as a last resort, after bargaining did not deliver an agreement.
The next steps will be closely watched because mediation and ongoing engagement could shape whether the dispute de-escalates or widens. For the smelter, the balance between operational stability and workplace bargaining will be the key question in the days ahead.