Comments on: OCC v dairy workers – could be big one

By: Parliamentary service leading militant employers « Red Alert

Parliamentary service leading militant employers « Red Alert — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 23:21:11 +0000

[...] is bad enough that the government

By: New generation heroes « Red Alert

New generation heroes « Red Alert — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 17:53:55 +0000

[...] two guys are delegates at Open Country Cheese. On the left is Lotao Aliimatafitafi and Dave te Iringa is on the [...]

By: Angus

Angus — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:05:45 +0000

yes but seemingly pay packets are mistakenly short and workers are still being denied their right to return to work let alone getting onto negotiating a collective agreement.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:36:38 +0000

the workers are off on full pay.

By: Angus McConnell

Angus McConnell — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:14:47 +0000

Anyone who wants to help the OCC DWU workers financially can do so by making a donation to the “Solidarity Fund” Bank of New Zealand – # 02 0320 0082084 026.

Despite the members offering to return to work last night and this morning OCC have refused to allow them back in the gate

By: Bundy30

Bundy30 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:03:33 +0000

Looking at the Bigger Picture, I personally think OCC Management is worried about the other OCC Sites(Wanganui,Awarua)if the DWU achieve what there members want then the others might want the same. That’s why they have taken the aggressive attitude towards its workers joining the DWU.
Hopefully the DWU and OCC Management can come to a suitable compromise, as both parties loose if a strike takes place or workers are locked out.
Also if a picket line is put outside OCC, No DWU Member will cross it. Meaning No DIRA Milk.

By: Idiot/Savant

Idiot/Savant — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:19:16 +0000

Meanwhile, I’m wondering why making cheese is considered to be an “essential service” in the same category as running a hospital. Talk about government for farmers…

If any Labour MP wants to do something about it, here’s a quick and dirty member’s bill:

http://progbills.wikidot.com/employment-relations-essential-services-amendment-bill

By: james ritchie

james ritchie — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:21:20 +0000

Thanks for the comments Trevor and thanks for the dialogue to all. In response to the question re what are the workers after I provide the following info.
There is no wage increase on the table. Workers are seeking a collective agreement which protects them from being made temporary or casual at any time. They want a say on how their rosters and hours of work can be changed so their family lives are not disrupted without notice and consultation. They want temp workers to be paid the same rate for the job after 3 months. They want temp workers to be made permanent after 11 months service. They want redundancy compensation if made redundant and they want to be paid for a meal break if they can’t leave the plant. – Most of all they want to be treated as human beings- not a commodity to be tossed aside when no longer required. They want decent jobs.

By: Draco T Bastard

Draco T Bastard — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 23:57:08 +0000

Gooner, I was only suggesting that the employers pay for what they’re using rather than trying not to pay for it.

By: Richard

Richard — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:11:20 +0000

Ghost who walks said (above) “Dont under estimate the effect big donations to the national party will get you when it comes to industrial action.”

I did not know that Wyatt Creech was still involved in OCC, but there may be a National Party history for you.

Enough of the “cheesy” stuff from the employer. Get on with it!