The unionists voted 90 percent in favor striking after contract negotiations broke down. The action began early, however, as workers on the afternoon shift, who were attending a union meeting, learned that the bosses were preparing to move products from the plant and quickly set up the pickets. Meeting outside the plant gate July 17, in heavy winter rain, more than 200 workers voted overwhelmingly in favor of continuing the strike action and picket.

During the negotiations prior to the strike, workers had agreed to lower their claim to 4.5 percent. But after the company refused to settle and the strike began, the demand for a 6 percent increase was reinstated. Workers on the picket line say that steep increases in food, petrol, and other everyday items are among the reasons they decided to walk out. Many also point to the anti-worker attitudes of bosses at the plant.

Workers at Bluebird's factory in Timaru and its Christchurch warehouse have also gone out, making the strike national.

Bluebird is a part of Goodman Fielder, one of the biggest food processing companies in Australia and New Zealand. The striking workers are members of the Service and Food Workers Union, which organizes production workers, or the National Distribution Union, which organizes warehouse workers. Tradespeople organized by the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Workers Union are also on strike.  
 
 
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