SAVE SEALORD WORKERS
Put people before profits!

More than 160 workers at Sealord’s fish processing plant in Nelson are to lose their jobs through restructuring.
 
The announcement came within days of the Job Summit called by NZ Prime Minister John Key to work out how to save jobs!

At a time when unity and collective cooperation between unions, employers and the Government is making headlines, Sealord have demanded that their employees must accept a reduction in wages to increase profits or face dismissal.
 
“Sealord intends to lay off around 160 staff immediately, and have indicated to us that they may close the processing plant in the near future unless staff agree to what is effectively a $70 a week cut in wages across the board.” says Neville Donaldson, SFWU Assistant National Secretary.
 
“At a time when most businesses are saying they are prepared to make less profits in order to secure employment, Sealord have demanded that workers increase the company profits by $1.8 million through wage and condition cuts.”
 
“If staff don’t agree to the proposed cut in wages and conditions within the three week consultation process, Sealord management have advised us that the board may take an option to close the processing facility in Nelson which currently employs over 500 workers.”
 
The company plans to process fish on factory ships out at sea.

Maori members may wish to write to their iwi to ask them to support the Sealord workers. A template letter can be downloaded here and a list of Iwi contacts can be downloaded here

Send an email to Sealord chair Robin Hapi asking him to save the Sealord workers!

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Dear Mr Hapi, I am shocked to hear that Sealord plans to sack 160 workers at your fish processing plant in Nelson, and that in total up to 500 workers could lose their jobs. I urge the board of Sealord to consider the effect that this action will have on the Sealord workers and the wider community in Nelson. I am disgusted that a company with forecast profits for the current financial year of NZ$20 million is considering laying off workers in this difficult economic times, and within days of a Government-hosted job summit aimed at saving jobs. The fact that you personally attended that summit adds insult to injury! Sealord has a corporate social responsibility to Maori, and should recognise the effect their decision will have on the well-being of Maori employees and their families. I urge you to immediately withdraw your decision to lay off 160 workers and your further demand for workers to forego NZ$1.8 million in wages and conditions of employment.  

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