200 picket ANZCO CMP

ANZCO closed its CMP Rangitikei sheep processing plant today due to a 200-strong picket.

Protesters included 100 locked out workers and fifty worker representative from every major New Zealand meat plant.

Picketers came from as far as Moerewa in the far north and Invercargill in the deep south.

ANZCO locked out New Zealand Meat Workers Union (NZMWU) members on October 19 when they refused to accept pay cuts of up to 20%, shift changes and cuts in allowances.

NZMWU negotiator Roger Middlemass says the fight at CMP has ramifications for the entire meat industry workforce.

"Sir Graeme Harrison wants to start a race to the bottom in the meat industry," he says. "If ANZCO CMP gets away with 20% wage cuts in one plant, they'll try it in their other plants and then the other companies will want the same."

Mr Middlemass says works confidence was boosted by today's show of support and successful closure of the plant and vow to fight on.

High resolution photos of workplace secretaries and presidents from around the country are available at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/union/sets/72157628145572656/

ENDS

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