“We have gone on strike because the company doesn’t want to pay a decent wage,” said union delegate Shona Hampton.

The union is asking for a 12 percent wage increase. “Current wages here are 30 percent to 50 percent lower than many meat workers and we want pay parity,” said Bill Watts, Canterbury branch president of the New Zealand Meatworkers Union (NZMWU). The union has sent out a letter to all members appealing for funds to buy grocery vouchers for the striking workers.

Progressive Enterprises LTD owns Southmore. It also operates the Foodtown, Woolworths, and Countdown supermarket chains. The Southmore plant processes beef, chicken, lamb, and pigs for these supermarkets. Workers at other Progressive-owned supermarkets are now discussing taking industrial action over their contracts.

—Ruth Gray  
 
China: workers protest pay,
conditions at McDonald’s plant
About 1,000 workers protested conditions at a factory in Guangdong province, China, that makes toys for McDonald’s restaurants. Workers at the Hengli factory in Dongguan City demonstrated July 22-23, starting in their dorms and then by the plant, over low wages, lack of holidays, and poor living conditions, according to New York-based China Labor Watch.

Employees at the factory are forced by management to work 11 hours a day, six days a week. They are paid on a piece-rate basis and have wages deducted if they refuse overtime, which is paid at the regular hourly rate. Monthly wages are 600-800 yuan (US$75 and US$100), with the company deducting about one-third of this for room and board. About 100 Chinese cops and factory guards cracked down on the protesters, arresting dozens of workers.

—Brian Williams  
 
 
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