Aviation and Marine Engineers Association inc. (AMEA) Media Release

18 April 2012

AFFCO Dispute

The AMEA (Aviation and Marine Engineers Association inc.) joins many unions nationally in supporting the NZ Meatworkers Union and their members who are currently locked out by Talleys AFFCO at the company's eight plants in Moerewa, Wiri, Horotiu, Rangiuru, Wairoa, Napier, Feilding and Whanganui.

The AMEA calls on Talleys AFFCO to lift the 8 week lockout and to make the NZ Meatworkers Union an offer similar to the Shift Engineers to resolve the protracted Collective Agreement negotiations.

The AMEA signed the ratified AFFCO New Zealand Limited Shift Engineers Collective Agreement on 17 April 2012. Talley’s AFFCO offered us a one year rollover of the Collective Agreement with a 2.3% increase on all rates and allowances. The offer was received prior to the expiry of our Collective Agreement. There were no clawbacks from the Company. We took this offer back to our members to vote on and they voted to accept the company offer.

We would expect a good employer to treat all its employees the same way and to negotiate in good faith with all unions. Therefore the AMEA requests that Talley’s AFFCO makes the Meatworkers Union an offer for a rollover of their current terms and conditions of employment (without any clawbacks) and a reasonable percentage increase on their wages and allowances. We want all employees to be treated fairly and a speedy resolution for all involved.

ENDS