[Update: Correction Over Talley’s Statement
Labour’s Workplace Relations spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway has been advised by AFFCO Ltd that AFFCO is not advertising for staff in the Manawatu through MSD as stated in a press statement released earlier today.
“I have been advised by AFFCO that the advertisement referred to was not placed by them. I accept their word on this and apologise for the error. I stand by my wider comments concerning Talley’s poor treatment of its workers,” says Iain Lees-Galloway.]

Iain Lees-Galloway

MP for Palmerston North
Workplace Relations Spokesperson

Carmel Sepuloni
Social Development Spokesperson

23 September 2016

Government helping Talley’s to break workers

The Ministry for Social Development appears to be assisting Talley’s-Affco replace experienced workers effectively locked out by the company, say Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni and Workplace Relations spokesperson Iain Lees-Galloway.

“MSD is advertising for meat processing workers for a secret employer in Manawatu where Talley’s-Affco has refused to re-hire experienced workers who have been active in the Meat Workers’ Union,” says Carmel Sepuloni.

“There is no need for MSD to advertise these jobs. There are experienced people ready and willing to take up that work today. Social Development Minister Anne Tolley should step in immediately and make sure MSD isn’t being used to undermine workers who just want their employer to treat them fairly.”

“Talley’s use every trick in the book to weaken the people who work for them,” says Iain Lees-Galloway.

“They’ve used the fact that the work is seasonal to deny union activists work they should be entitled to. They’ve bullied workers who dare to speak out. Now they are using a Government agency to find people to replace the workers they have refused to re-hire.

“Talley’s-Affco has been found guilty of multiple health and safety and employment law violations. Instead of going to war with their workers they should clean up their act and learn to work with their employees not against them. They are not the type of business a Government agency should be in bed with,” says Iain Lees-Galloway.

ends

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