Little Impact On Farmers From Latest Strike

News Release - 20th April

Little Impact On Farmers From Latest Strike

Affco says the latest strike action from the Meat Workers Union will have little impact on farmers sending stock for processing.

The latest strike began at 5:00am this morning. The week-long strike is the 16th by the union since negotiations over a collective agreement started in December.

Affco Operations Director, Rowan Ogg said all of Affco’s plants are fully operational with the majority of Affco’s staff not impacted by the dispute and many union members had chosen not to strike. “Good conditions through summer and autumn also mean there is no shortage of feed giving farmers more flexibility in when they send stock away.”

“As a result of the union issuing strike notice continuously through until 5.00 am Friday of next week, including ANZAC day, the Company is left with no alternative but to issue lock out notice for ANZAC day to all those employees who have consistently undertaken strike action when the union has called for it.”

“The Company will be operating normally through next week, including ANZAC day and needs to ensure that staffing levels and processing capacity are consistent with the livestock planned for that day.”

“We hope this further lockout will lend weight to Affco’s call for the Union take the Company’s claims seriously and start to make real movement in our next round of negotiations.”

Mr Ogg said Affco remains open to constructive discussion with the Union in good faith. “Parts of the current Collective date back decades. Through bargaining, the Company wants a clear, modern, flexible collective that is not subject to continual legal challenges by the Union,” he said.

ENDS

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