E tū warns New Zealand McCain strike-breakers could undermine their own jobs

E tū says McCain strike-breakers in New Zealand could succeed in undermining their own employment conditions.

McCain workers from plants in Timaru and Hawkes Bay are working as scabs for McCain’s Ballarat plant in Australia, where workers are taking strike action.

The Australian McCain workers are in dispute with the company over its move to use cut-price contractors to replace the jobs of McCain’s employees.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says McCain already has a small number of people working for an external contractor in potato receivables, amid union concerns that bosses plan to extend this to replace permanent store workers, cleaners and others.

The AMWU reports about 10 New Zealand workers have headed to Ballarat to fill the jobs of striking workers.

E tū’s National Industry Strategy Director, Neville Donaldson says he’s disgusted at the actions of the New Zealand workers, who could ultimately undermine their own working conditions.

“If New Zealand workers think they won’t be affected by what’s happening across the Tasman, they’re dreaming. They could be next if McCain in Australia succeeds in replacing good jobs with contractors,” he says.

McCain in New Zealand has few union members, and Neville says if they want to protect their jobs, they should join the union.