Time for AFFCO to end Lockout

CTU Media Release
12 March 2012
Time for AFFCO to end Lockout

The CTU says that it is time for AFFCO to end the lockout of 1000 workers.

Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, says “the lockout by Talleys AFFCO is totally unnecessary. The union was in mediation with AFFCO management and this lockout is causing tremendous hardship for these workers and their families.”

“AFFCO are demanding very significant changes in the collective agreement and have now effectively turned against their workforce.”

Peter Conway said that if we can’t have decent jobs in the meat export sector, where will they exist in New Zealand?

“What we are witnessing in this country is an all out assault on working conditions by several militant employers. These employers are destroying community support for the export sector. They are wrecking our international reputation as fair-minded.”

“If this is what the Government means by improving our competitiveness as a country then we should all be extremely worried.”

“And if this is the ‘brighter future’ the Government has in mind, then it is little wonder that 51,939 people left New Zealand permanently for Australia in the last year.”

“The actions of ANZCO last year with a 65 day lockout, and Ports of Auckland and AFFCO this year are damaging New Zealand's brand,” said Peter Conway.
ENDS

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