Lockout threatened

Talks have broken down at a South Auckland packaging factory under picket by its workers.

Amcor spokesman Martin Debelle said the company had not issued a lockout notice, but would if workers didn't return to the negotiating table when they came back to work today.

But Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union organiser Cliff Gunning said workers had been told they were locked out until they accepted their employer's conditions.

The two camps even disagreed over how many staff were actually striking - 67, says management, 66, says the union.