In 2010, Talleys, one of NZ’s biggest companies and owned by one of its richest families, took full control of the AFFCO Meatworks. It then embarked on a 5 year campaign to de-unionise its workforce. But workers in Wairoa and towns across the country said no. They were locked out 3 times in 5 years. This is the story of their resistance and goes to the heart of strategic debate about what is symbolic vs what builds leverage.

We spoke with;

• Peter Amato, Meatworker in the beefhouse at Wairoa and Meatworkers Union delegate
• Simon Oosterman, union organiser brought in by the CTU halfway through the dispute 
• Ross Webb, an historian whose thesis was on the history of the Meatworkers Union

• Ross’ brilliant thesis on the history of the Meatworkers Union and his Oral History Project of the lockout and a YouTube playlist of news coverage
• RNZ podcast about the 2015 experience in Wairoa

Follow 1/200 on Twitter (@1of200podcast), and host Huw Morgan (@huwcmorgan) or (@blueprintspod)

Support 1/200 on Patreon so we can make more content

Thanks to Masarima and Clone Records for the title music

Thanks to Ethan Hunter for his music

Please leave us a 5*  review, it helps other people find the podcast !