The mood on the picket line remains confident. Gerald, who is a fish filleter, said, "Make it plain that we're still strong." Mal, who has been a general hand for the past 18 months, said, we're "not going back until we get what we want."
The workers estimate that in Timaru about half the workers on day shift and three-quarters of the night shift are crossing the picket lines. The night shift was about 20-25 workers before the walkout began. Sanford is one of New Zealand's larger fishing companies with factories throughout the country. In 2000 it reported a profit of NZ$54.5 million (NZ$1=US 40 cents).
The key issues in the strike remain the wage rate and a contract that covers both the Timaru and Bluff factories. The workers are looking for parity with other fish workers, such as those at the Sealord factory in Nelson. King said that this would mean an increase of about $2 an hour for fish packers. After eight years as a top grade packer she earns NZ$10.68 an hour.
Many of those on strike had applied for emergency benefits from Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ). But under pressure from Sanford's South Island manager, Ted Culley, WINZ has withdrawn all benefits. A few who were on casual contracts, which have now expired, can get benefits.
The strikers are winning support from other unions and the community. On July 14, some 200 people marched through the main street of Timaru supporting the strike. Lesley Grieve, the union organizer, explained that in the last seven days they have received NZ$8,500 in donations from other SFWU locals.
The Council of Trade Unions, the national union federation, has called on affiliated unions to financially support Sanford workers at Bluff and Timaru. Workers in Timaru are organizing a garage sale August 4 and have distributed leaflets around the town asking for donations for the sale.
Annalucia Vermunt is a member of the Meat Workers Union in Christchurch.
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New Zealand apple growers protest deductions
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