Fletcher locks out workers in pay dispute

Yesterday afternoon a member of the public posted a photo on Twitter of a Fletchers notice signed by plant manager Adam Isbester.

“Due to industrial action by the AMIEU and Employer action response the abattoir will not operate at all on the following:- Thursday 29th January 2015, Friday 30th January 2015, Monday 2nd February 2015, Tuesday 3rd February 2015, Wednesday 4th February 2015. Work to scheduled re-commence [sic] Thursday 5th February 2015.”

Director Roger Fletcher said the company was always ready to meet with the union but an employee who did not wish to be named said negotiations over a pay rise had been ongoing for two years.

“They boys in the union said they were going to go on strike on Thursday afternoon and Friday as well. Then just before we knocked off [on Wednesday] he’s just said come back next Thursday,” the man said.

“They’ve stopped negotiation and shut the gates.”

Mr Fletcher said there wasn’t much he wanted to say but added he was always open to speak to the union.

“They’ve taken industrial action and in response we’ve closed down for three days,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We’re always there ready to meet AMIEU.

See your ad here

“They’ve got their problem. They can’t work it out between themselves, that’s their problem.”

The employee said the abattoir staff were prepared to lose a day and a half but now they would be out a week of pay.

“There’s a lot of people out there who work week-to-week. The bills just keep coming and he’s just shut the gates on them.”

He said the company processed 4200 to 4300 sheep per day and for that amount of work he believed the pay rise was justified.

He said employees were caught in the middle of the dispute.

“You keep putting the same stuff up and they just keep voting it down and it just keeps getting put back up again.

“We’ve been asking to work it out but nothing seems to get done.”

The AMIEU was contacted but was unable to respond.