The Meatworkers Union has called in a mediator for the second time in a fortnight, to intervene in a dispute between AFFCO and workers at the company's Wairoa sheep and beef plant.
Area organiser Eric Mischefski says the company wants to introduce conditions in a new site agreement for Wairoa that go outside a core agreement the company has for all its North Island plants.
He says a meeting which AFFCO scheduled with workers on Thursday failed to go ahead when the union requested it take place on neutral ground rather than at the plant.
Mr Mischefski says he hopes the mediator can organise a meeting for early next week.
AFFCO management has not been available for comment.
