WHEN the women who work at Rolly Tasker's sailmaking loft in Chalong saw their half-monthly pay today, they stopped work immediately.

There was no annual pay rise, something they have come to expect.

At noon they were sitting on the floor of the huge space where they usually work, making and repairing sails.

One gigantic sail that must be from a 12 metre yacht stretched out across the entire width of the building.

The 80 women mostly wear tee-shirts that each carry an individual drawing of an America's Cup winner on the back.

A union representative was talking to management about a potential settlement.