Harawira calls for 'Talley-ban' amid dispute

Many shoppers assume frozen veges are Kiwi-grown. Not so, except Talley's. Photo / File

Mana Party leader Hone Harawira has called for a "Talley-ban", to send a signal to the family business, which is in bitter dispute with workers over collective bargaining.

Hundreds of workers have been locked of eight Talley's-owned Affco meatworks in the North Island, as Talley's and unions fail to come to a settlement over collective agreement negotiations.

Talley's proposed this week to slowly lift the lock out on workers - if the Meat Workers' Union lifts the strike notice, which Harawira says was not a "goodwill gesture".

"It was a nasty and spiteful decision to try to force workers to cave in to company demands or get their emergency benefits cut," Mr Harawira said.

"The locked out workers have been forced to band together to survive and to keep the working conditions they've won through years of negotiation."

Mr Harawira claimed Talley's was attempting to "bash the unions", and did not care about the children of the workers.

"But ordinary New Zealanders care what happens to the kids."

The Mana Party leader proposed Kiwis boycott Talley's products until the company lifted the lockout.

"Talley's aren't the only brands in the shelf" said Harawira "and all we want people to do is choose something other than Talley's for now."

- Herald Online staff