ANZCO CMP lockout won't achieve fair outcomes

The lockout of 100 workers by ANZCO CMP in Marton, now in its seventh week, should raise alarm bells for companies who are part of the supply chain, says Labour’s spokesperson for Labour Issues Darien Fenton.

“The workers have been locked out since 19 October over their employer’s demand that they take a 20 per cent pay cut and increase their workload, despite having offered to take a 10 per cent pay cut.

“This is a reasonable concession from workers in what they know are difficult times, but this is their livelihood at stake,” Darien Fenton said.

“Businesses who rely on meat or burger patties supplied by ANZCO CMP should look more closely at the tactics being employed by this company.

“The local community, food-banks and workers from around the country, many of whom are already struggling from the impact of cost of living increases, are now digging deep to help these workers feed their families,” says Darien Fenton.

“That can’t continue. The community should not have to step in here.

“Companies that rely on supplies from ANZCO CMP need to assess the situation in line with their own ethos of community and social responsibility. The lockout of ANZCO CMP staff is not the way to achieve fair outcomes,” Darien Fenton said.

Darien Fenton, along with other Labour MPs, will join the “ANZCO Unhappy Meal” action outside McDonalds, a major client of ANZCO CMP, in Auckland tomorrow to support locked out workers.