The revolving door of jobs for meat workers has swung in their favour, just weeks after many were dumped in a pre-Christmas layoff.
In little over a week, the North Island's biggest meat company, Affco, will add 400 workers to its payroll, including all 109 staff laid off fromits Moerewa plant days before Christmas.
The firm had blamed the layoffs on low stock numbers.
But Affco spokesman Wayne Annan said there had now been an increase in bookings as the unexpectedly hot and dry summer had left farmers short of feed and sending more stock to the works.
Affco's plant at Horotiu in the Waikato and works at Feilding and Moerewa will operate two shifts a day from January 18.
Horotiu will employ up to 200 more workers. For the first time since October the plant will have its full comple-ment of 550 day staff and 300 night staff.
Up to 100 extra workers will be taken on by the company's Manawatu Beef Packers.
