The Meatworkers Union and Canterbury Meat Packers went into mediation on Wednesday to try to resolve a dispute at the company's Rangitikei plant at Marton.
More than 100 workers are locked out and have been picketing the plant since negotiations for a new collective agreement broke down several weeks ago.
The company says most of the workforce have signed individual contracts and are working.
Those who remain locked out have rejected CMP's conditions, which include a pay cut.
