NZ’s worst employer, Talleys, have gone to the Employment Court to try and take away the NZ Meat Workers Union right of free speech. By extension, that means taking away your right to free speech.
If these bullies win, no NZ worker (or their representatives) will have the ability to criticise their employer on social media. It’s already an area that’s difficult for workers; have a moan on facebook about a shitty day at work and you can already expect to be dobbed in to HR.
Meat Workers Union organiser Darien Fenton said if they win it would have a chilling effect, gagging the union from campaigning around workers rights.
“Workers and delegates have been locked out and sacked, bargaining has broken down, it’s an ongoing series of problems that never seem to get anywhere … you can’t say let’s all be nice about it when the company doesn’t come to the relationship with clean hands.”, Fenton says.
The Meat Workers Union have been robust in their social media comments. They haven’t been nice about Talleys. But they have always told the truth. If they hadn’t, Talleys would already have filed charges of defamation. Here’s a sample:
Hey Talleys. You don’t need workers to bow to your every command. Threats and bullying when workers speak out won’t stop them. #SirTalley
— Darien Fenton (@DarienFenton) June 19, 2015
Knowing HM Queen as I do, I don’t think one would approve the #SirPeterTalley knighthood if she knew his serfs would suffer. #jobsthatcount
— Darien Fenton (@DarienFenton) June 8, 2015
Lots of calls coming in frm AFFCO Talley workers underpaid & ripped off by Talleys in 1st pay since court win. #getyourshittogethertalleys
— Jobs that Count (@jobsthatcount) December 8, 2015
The Talley madness continues. Three workers at Rangiuru AFFCO suspended for wearing their nice green union shirts. #getagripTalleys
— Darien Fenton (@DarienFenton) December 17, 2015
This is a firm that regularly kills workers, yet they can’t handle being told off by a union official? Really?
This case is bullying on an industrial scale.
If Talleys win, and effectively silence the Meat Workers Union, you can bet the Standard and Martyn Bradbury’s Daily Blog will be next. Then the wider media can expect to be threatened with law suits if they report the many deaths and maimings on Talley’s ships and in their abattoirs. Because why would Talley’s stop with just beating the workers into silence?
They have vast financial resources and the well used ability to tie organisations into protracted and costly legal battles.
They have that much money they don’t even care whether they win or lose. Their legal strategy is to starve out their opponents.
Don’t buy Talley’s products. You won’t be alone. The Talley’s group is already under massive pressure in the British market place, where a fair percentage of their product is sold. They have been under investigation for ethics breaches by some of the biggest supermarket chains. I understand one well known retailer is about to drop them as a supplier because they don’t meet the standards of ethical behaviour they require.
Talleys need NZ, but NZ doesn’t need Talleys.
And look after free speech, folks, you’ll miss it when it’s gone!
http://www.jobsthatcount.org.nz/
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