Tempers finally snap at Moerewa

Tempers finally snapped on the picket line outside the Affco freezing works at Moerewa on Thursday afternoon, more than 70 days into the bitter industrial dispute that shows no sign of ending.

About 120 members of the Meat Workers' Union who were locked out on February 29 have maintained a picket outside the plant since then, 76 days as of yesterday and counting.

The protest has at times been vocal but remained peaceful until Thursday afternoon, when police made their first arrest following a fight between a worker and a picketer.

Sergeant Nathan Davis said the men became involved in a physical confrontation as a worker starting the afternoon shift was jeered by the protest group. He returned to the picket line where a fight ensued with one of the protesters, until associates of each man managed to separate them.

A 44-year-old man had been arrested and charged with fighting in a public place. Police inquiries were continuing to locate the second man, Sergeant Davis said, adding that it was unfortunate that police had had to make an arrest after the two sides had gone almost 75 days without incident.

"Both sides in this dispute are under pressure. The protesters are under great financial pressure, and the workers are under pressure too. It's just a shame that this has happened," he said.

Until then police concerns had mainly focused on safety, given because the picket line's proximity to a busy stretch of State Highway 1, and senior officers have praised the behaviour of both sides.

Affco and the union were due to continue facilitation, the highest form of government-assisted mediation, in Auckland on Friday and yesterday, while the union's challenge to the legality of the lockout is due to be heard in the Employment Court in Auckland tomorrow.