New Zealand Meat Workers Union reaches agreement with Talleys/AFFCO

Members of the New Zealand Meat Workers Union (NZMWU) have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a new collective bargaining agreement with Talleys/AFFCO.  The Agreement follows a two year fight with their employer which included a 5 month lockout at the processing plant in the town of Wairoa, the dismissal and reinstatement of union leaders, various court proceedings and a refusal by the company to recognize the union for the purposes of collective bargaining.

The CBA includes a wage increase and protects the right of union members to be rehired each processing season according to the principles of seniority and retains the provision of overtime payments for working in excess of normal hours.

The settlement of the CBA is the culmination of a long and successful national and international campaign for union recognition and collective bargaining rights.