Fonterra Union Agreement Meets Challenge Of Globalisation
“Today’s agreement between Fonterra and international and New Zealand unions shows the increasing international nature
of union organising to meet the challenges of globalisation,” Council of Trade Unions president Ross Wilson said today.
“This agreement commits New Zealand’s largest multi-national company to recognition and observance in all countries it
operates of the same minimum ILO standards which the Employment Relations Act is based on,” he said.
The agreement ties in the international bargaining and dealings of Fonterra with the minimum labour standards laid down
by the International Labour Organisation.
“The Dairy Workers Union has taken a hugely significant step on behalf of workers and unions in other countries in
committing Fonterra to respecting the human rights laid down in international law through the ILO, including the rights
to join unions and to engage in collective bargaining,” said Ross Wilson.
“This is a serious commitment by Fonterra to acting fairly and respectfully in other countries where breaches of
workers’ rights are commonplace, and it is to be congratulated for making this commitment.
Ross Wilson said Fonterra’s commitment demonstrated that a successful New Zealand corporate can be a leader in
respecting worker and union rights.
“This is a positive change to the negative international image which New Zealand had under the Employment Contracts
Act,” he said.