Press release: AFFCO, Meat Workers Union, Iwi Leadership Forum

Tuesday, 22 May 2012

AFFCO Dispute settles

The New Zealand Meat Workers Union and AFFCO NZ Ltd reached an agreement on a new collective employment agreement at 5am this morning ending the twelve week industrial dispute.

AFFCO workers will be back on pay from today and returning to work over the next short period. Ratification meetings for the agreement will be completed by next Monday.

Union President Mike Nahu said “The settlement secures the core issues of concern to our members. It retains protection of wages and employment security and ensures workers continue to have their terms and conditions set by a union negotiated agreement”.

“These twelve weeks have tested our union and its members to the core and they have shown incredible commitment to their principles and to each other” Mike Nahu said. “Families have suffered extensive hardship and they will be extremely relieved to see the end of the dispute and to return to jobs they love and know they are good at”.

“The union wants to acknowledge the magnificent support it has received from Iwi Leaders to bring about this result. Maori dominated this group of workers and Iwi recognised the interest of their members were at stake on the picket line. They showed incredible skill, resolve and solidarity in working with us and the Company right until the documents were signed and I know the members of the union are extremely grateful and proud of the role they undertook” Mike Nahu said.

Company Director Andrew Talley said “This settlement is welcome at the end of a difficult time for everyone. I am looking forward to spending additional time around the meat plants and working with the union and its members to continue to improve these meat plants making them the best performing in the country.”

Ken Mair representing the Iwi Leadership Forum played a key role in brokering the settlement along with other leaders from the group. “Our role was to bring an end to the hardship our Whanau were suffering and to find a way to meet the needs of both parties into the future. I know our communities will be greatly relieved that this dispute is over and we are committed to continuing to support a better relationship between the company and the union in the future. “ Ken Mair said.
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