This week, after more than 12 weeks either on strike or locked out, over 1,000 AFFCO meat workers returned to work. With the assistance of Maori leaders and of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the union signed a collective agreement which included a pay increase of 4.3% and provision for a hardship payment to all workers locked-out or on strike. The New Zealand Meat Workers Union recognised that local and international solidarity was crucial in allowing its members to keep fighting till the end.
This week, after more than 12 weeks either on strike or locked out, over 1,000 AFFCO meat workers returned to work. With the assistance of Maori leaders and of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, the union signed a collective agreement which included a pay increase of 4.3% and provision for a hardship payment to all workers locked-out or on strike. The New Zealand Meat Workers Union recognised that local and international solidarity was crucial in allowing its members to keep fighting till the end.
