An AFFCO worker has been suspended without pay, and will probably be sacked after filming workers in union t-shirts being refused entry to work, the Meat Workers' Union says.
The shirts were associated with inappropriate and threatening behaviour, according to AFFCO. Photo: RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
The incident, which was uploaded to Facebook, happened before Christmas at the AFFCO meatworks in Rangiruri near Te Puke.
Union organiser Darien Fenton said the man's suspension was decided in a meeting yesterday.
But she said it had to be held in a carpark across the road, because the manager refused to allow her in the building wearing the same shirt.
"He was suspended standing in the carpark and suspended without pay," she said.
"This is the third time in as many weeks that they suspended somebody without pay, so suspended pending an investigation meeting ...you know you live in hope but I have no doubt that they'll sack him."
AFFCO said it was company policy that union t-shirts were not worn on site, and that they were associated with inappropriate and threatening behaviour.