NZ Meat Workers’ Union Media Statement

25 February 2012

Lockout of Meat Workers Unfair and unnecessary

“AFFCO meat company has given notice of an indefinite lockout of meat workers at five of its meat plants across New Zealand to try to starve its workers into accepting major changes to its collective employment agreement giving the company total flexibility in its terms of employment,” Meat Workers Union Secretary Dave Eastlake announced today.

“Our members will be shocked that this company, now wholly owned by the Talley family, has taken such a cruel and unnecessary step in order to get exactly what it wants in their employment agreement.”

“The lockout demands of the company are very similar to those being demanded of the workers at the Port of Auckland and reflect a new determination by some employers to screw down working conditions to the absolute bottom in this country – the low road of employment relations,” said Dave Eastlake.

“The Meat workers will be holding meetings of its members this week to discuss this lockout and are calling on the Talley family to withdraw the notice and return to the bargaining table where this dispute should be resolved.”

ENDS

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