August 9, 2004

McCains workers reject pay cut

Workers at the McCains plant in Feilding today unanimously rejected a company proposal which would see their wages cut by up to 23 per cent.

The workers met this afternoon to discuss progress in their collective employment negotiations.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that the union had told the company that workers would not accept the cut.

“When McCains bought the plant in 2001 from Heinz Watties it accepted the workers’ wages and conditions,” he said.

“We expect the company to honour that promise. If the company genuinely wants improved productivity, it should commit to investing in new technology as it promised.”

The collective employment agreement expired in July. They are seeking a roll-over of the agreement, with a pay rise of three per cent to reflect the rising cost of living.

Canadian-owned McCains is the world’s largest producer of potato products.

ENDS

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