Striking workers at Affco's Imlay plant in Wanganui will be grateful for an initiative started by their union colleagues which will give them some financial support.
The NZ Meat Workers' Union launched an 0900 LOCK OUT phone line at union meetings around the Affco plants yesterday to give $5 to a fighting fund every time the number is called.
So far the company has locked out 1000 workers and yesterday their union colleagues at Imlay and five other Talley's owned Affco freezing works started a 48-hour strike showing their support. The strike started at 5am yesterday and will continue through until 5am tomorrow.
A union spokesperson said the 0900 line would be a chance for the public to support the workers.
Union members also indicated yesterday to the company that they will begin an indefinite overtime ban and work ban on training replacement labour.
Yesterday the workers were on the picket line near the main entrance to the works on the Heads Rd-Beach Rd intersection.
Placards were touted and chants rang out during the early afternoon show of solidarity.
Joining their colleagues on the line were some of the Maraku family. They are thankful that a fighting fund had been established.
Reo Maraku has been working at Imlay for 33 years, his wife Natalie for six. She works in the cutting room and one of their sons, Caleb, works in the tripe room.
Mr Maraku said taking strike action was a big call to make and they were well aware of the impact it had on their families.
"Our families are the ones who've been heavily affected by this action. And it's not just our immediate families. This sort of thing affects the wider community as well," he said.
Mrs Maraku said the decision to strike was never taken lightly.
"With us both off work it means we've got no income coming in.
"Like everyone else we've got mortgages and things on hire purchase so they're bills we've got to worry about," she said.
Mr Maraku said rather than think about that, they were focused on the principles of their action.
"If you know why you're doing it then that's make the whole effort worthwhile," Mr Maraku said.
Meanwhile, Affco operations manager Rowan Ogg said the company would respond to the union's position soon.
Mr Ogg said allegations that the company was simply trying to destroy the union were untrue.
"The company is seeking to manage its operation in the most efficient way possible in order to compete and protect the employment of its staff," he said.
"The union is continuing with obsolete and archaic practices. The union is seeking to assert union control through frustrating opportunities for change designed to ensure the plants are more competitive, thereby protecting the future of employees and the company."