Cheese workers hopeful of mediation outcome

Media Release: Dairy Workers Union
Wednesday October 7, 2009.

Cheese workers hopeful of mediation outcome

Locked out workers at a Waikato cheese factory are hopeful that they will make some progress in mediation talks tomorrow towards getting a collective employment agreement to cover their jobs.

36 workers at Talleys-owned Open Country Cheese are entering their third week of being locked out, despite an Employment Court ruling that the lockout is illegal.

“These workers just want to return to their jobs,” Dairy Workers Union National Secretary James Ritchie said. “We’re certainly hopeful that we can work towards a resolution tomorrow.”

“But we need a serious response from the company that addresses workers' concerns around job security, and that recognises their right to negotiate collectively.”

“Open Country Cheese's proposals would have turned most workers into seasonal and temporary workers and seen them subject to major and disruptive roster changes at short notice. The Company tabled a restructuring proposal last Friday which confirms workers’ concerns and reinforces the need for a collective agreement with proper processes and protections.”

“This is a straightforward issue. Our members just want a collective agreement and secure jobs. We hope that we can have a sensible discussion tomorrow that recognises these concerns.”

ENDS

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