CMP Rangitikei plant closed today

17 November 2011

CMP Rangitikei on State Highway One near Marton will be closed for today.

"We have closed the plant for the day because of road safety and other concerns arising from the picket outside the plant being augmented by delegates attending the annual meeting of the New Zealand Meat Workers' Union in Palmerston North," said the manager of the plant Darryl Mackenzie.

"There are already major concerns around safety because the picket is being held at the plant's entrance on State Highway One," said Mr. Mackenzie.

"There has already been some disappointing behaviour on the picket this week with one arrest made, we won't take the risk of having anyone injured." said Mr. Mackenzie.

"We therefore believe it's prudent to close the plant for the day to avoid putting anybody's safety at risk and we will make up the lost the production over the weekend." said Mr. Mackenzie.

CMP Rangitikei and the New Zealand Meat Workers Union (NZMWU) have been in negotiations since April to reach a new Collective Employment Agreement to replace the now expired contract between the parties.

Negotiations have continued this week through mediation.

The plant continues to operate at full production speed with the more than two thirds of, employees who have resigned from the union and signed Individual Employment Agreements.

A union organised picket is continuing outside the plant with members from the NZMWU joining the picket today while they are in Palmerston North for their annual conference.

ENDS

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