14 May 2009
for Immediate release

SFWU Runanga Calls on Iwi to Intervene in Sealord Dispute

The Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota Runanga has called on iwi to intervene over Sealord move to cut the employment conditions of its workforce.

Sealords recently made 160 workers redundant and is now demanding that the remaining workforce accept significant changes to their conditions (cuts to the extent of $1.8 Million) while refusing to provide guarantees of job security or assurances that they won’t close their Nelson factory within the next three years.

SFWU Runanga convenor Muriel Tunoho said Sealord actions were a continuation of the arrogant and disrespectful behaviour that occurred around the recent redundancies.

“Sealord is a company that continues to make good profits while demanding more and more from their workforce.”

Sealord worker Henry Parata said that many iwi that he is affiliated to had told him they were more worried about people losing jobs and pay rather than the company they owned making big profits.

Henry is supporting the Runanga campaign to get Maori workers in Nelson and beyond to send letters to their iwi organisations urging them to take a stand on behalf of retaining jobs and employment conditions.

ENDS

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