Over the years the meat industry processing sector has had a long history of labour force disputes some very disruptive to the wage earners, farmers and processors alike.
Such was the disruption in the 1980's when farmer frusration boiled over, and I with many other Southland farmers took our poor emaciated sheep onto the streets of Invercargill and slaughtered them on the outskirts of that city, as a mark of frustration to the lack of action to resolve that dispute. This caused huge outrage and public reaction and the local papers letters to the editor broke all records with publics response to the situation.
The Muldoon government got involved to get work started again but at a cost to the taxpayer. Since then in general terms industrial action has been minimal probably helped by extensive work closures, more automation, and a big reduction in sheep numbers.
CMP built this modern plant in Rangitikei, and the union advises that the company reported to them they have been suffering serious losses for years.
Are we going to return to times of disruptive labour practices in this industry, or is this just a sign of more industry rationaisation occurring?
The head of CMP Rangitikei, which locked out about 200 meatworkers this week, says staff are leaving the union in droves so they can continue to work at the plant. The union says workers are leaving because they are vulnerable, scared, and being pressured by the company reports The Manawatu Standard.
Unionised workers at the Marton-based beef and lamb plant were barred from entering the site from Wednesday after meetings with CMP over pay and conditions broke down.CMP Rangitikei site manager Darryl Mackenzie said support for the union was dwindling. "About 35 per cent of workers at CMP Rangitikei that are eligible for union membership are currently members, compared with about 80 per cent a month ago," he said.
Mr Mackenzie said the exodus of employees to individual contracts reflected their understanding that fewer lambs were available for processing. "By working the 40 hours a week in the peak season, under the new agreement, instead of 35 hours previously, they [meatworkers] would still be able to earn close to their previous pay while helping to secure jobs at the plant. "Meatworkers Union spokesman Roger Middlemass said it was difficult to gauge the exact number of union members because of the unstable environment. Mr Middlemass accused CMP of pressuring staff, particularly those recruited from the Pacific Islands, into signing individual contracts.
He said the firm reluctantly issued a lockout notice to union members after several months of negotiations with the meatworkers' union produced no agreement on new wages and conditions proposed by CMP Rangitikei. Mr McKenzie said he hoped a deal would be reached soon as the company and union continued discussions through mediation. Mr Middlemass said the union was expecting to meet CMP Rangitikei management this morning at the Labour Department's mediation rooms in Palmerston North. It then had a meeting planned with locked-out meatworkers in Marton. He said that this week the union would discuss the talks and plans for further protests.
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