Mussel farming crews at Sanford’s Havelock operations at the Top of the South will be striking for 12 hours tomorrow in a fight for fair conditions.

The action comes after protracted negotiations for a new Collective Employment Agreement stalled over Sanford's refusal to value its frontline workforce.

Crew members, including Deckhands, Senior Deckhands, and Skippers, are members of the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ), and are currently working under outdated individual agreements.

Their key demands include being paid at the full rate for all hours spent onboard their vessel – which they can live on for days – and to have long-stagnant allowances brought up to date.

“Our members work incredibly long and hard hours, often in arduous conditions, to make Sanford the profitable company it is,” says MUNZ Nelson Branch Secretary Holly Payne.

“Mussel vessel crew members can live on board for four days, working 17-hour shifts with 7 hours off for sleep and rest a day.”

“Sanford posted a $34 million net profit in the first half of this year, yet it refuses to give its loyal, long-serving workers a pay review, which they haven't seen in two years.”

The dispute also highlights the massive and growing disparity between workers and senior management at the company.

“These workers face 17-hour shifts in challenging weather for a fraction of the CEO's million-plus pay package. These workers have allowances that have not been increased for many years,” said Ms. Payne.

Vessels can travel away from the Top of the South including to operations as distant as Stewart Island – Rakiura.

Sanford's response to the workers’ claims was to propose clawbacks of existing conditions.

“This isn't just about wages, it's about respect,” says Ms. Payne.

“Sanford can easily afford to pay their workers fairly. This strike is a last resort for a workforce that has been pushed to the limit by a company that has lost any sense of obligation to the people whose hard work generates its success.”

Strike action will take place from 10am to 10pm on Wednesday, 5 November 2025.

Workers and union representatives will be holding an informational picket along with community supporters from 10am to 1pm, Main Road, Havelock, Wednesday 5 November.

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