A union leader has warned that if the lockout at the Essity mill in Kawerau, Bay of Plenty, continues, Kiwis may experience a national scarcity of toilet paper.
According to Tane Phillips, secretary of the Pulp and Paper Union Kawerau, around 70% of the toilet paper used in New Zealand is produced at the Essity factory.
Because of the difficulties in importing paper and its high price, Phillips asserted that the single indigenous producer has been forced out of business.
But due to a pay disagreement, the mill’s 140 production workers have been locked out since the beginning of August.
Additionally, there are worries that the product may not be available on all Aotearoa shelves. Products made by Essity Mill include Purex, Sorbent, Libra, and Handee.
There is no production going on; the only thing they might be doing—and this is what I believe they are doing—is shipping some of the toilet paper that has already been produced, but there isn’t much of that either, according to Phillips.
I believe that the signs posted at local supermarkets that restrict the amount of toilet paper you can take send a message.
Essity has put out an offer, but according to Phillips, it wouldn’t adequately adjust the worker’s compensation for inflation over the following three years.
“I think part of this is very personal for probably the manager in Australia, he wants to beat the unions, he probably thinks that these workers are a bit too uppity. ”
A spokesperson for Countdown supermarkets said Essity has been in contact with them about “the industrial action currently taking place at its manufacturing site in Kawerau”.
“We’re working closely with them and our other supply partners to ensure we have enough toilet paper supply for everyone to get what they need.
We are not currently worried about a potential scarcity.
Additionally, food has been contacted for comment.
NZ may experience a lack of toilet paper, a union warns
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