In this issue, election coming up ; updates on new legislation, including Paid parental leave and profile on key leader at Pacific Silver Fern Farms.

In this issue : how our members have coped with COVID 19, what's happened overseas and the election coming up.

By Eric Mischefski - NZ Meat Workers Union Organiser - Hawkes Bay

During the previous 5 weeks isolation under Covid 19, level 4, most meat processing plants and their downstream industries have continued to operate, albeit in reduced capacity, due to protocols around self-distancing and regulations determined by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).

Most of the workers in these facilities adapted and got on with their jobs, acknowledging a degree of risk existed in doing so. A minority of workers were unable to work due to underlying health issues or childcare responsibilities.

The NZ Meat Workers Union (MWU) has been front and centre working with industry players like Ministry for Primary Industries (PI), the Meat Industry Association (MIA) and the government to enable processing to continue.

Never before, in our history have we as working people and NZers faced a threat like that of COVID-19.  MWU is working on the front line to support our members in an essential industry.  We know there are so many questions and we will keep you up to date as much as possible.  Today, here's our newsletter.

As the coronavirus threat expands MWU is working to ensure our members are safe, and also Meat Companies work with us. 

In this issue, safety in the Meat Industry and loss of one of our members ; Coronovirus ; initial advice ; the women who work behind the scenes in our National Union ; new National Secretary and dates to be aware of. 

The National Returning Officer of the NZMWU has declared that Daryl Carran (current President of the Otago Southland Branch of the MWU) has been elected to the position of MWU National Secretary after his was the only nomination. 

The terrible death of MWU member, Alfred ("Baldy") Edwards at the AFFCO Wairoa plant last week has rocked his workmates, his whanau and his community.  This should not have happened.

Read what's up for MWU members.  In this issue, members talk about their hopes for the new decade, the process of election for National Secretary and more.