Controversy
In 2006 AFFCO fired multiple workers under suspicion of a theft ring was operating in its Wairoa plant. In 2007 an Employment Relations Authority court found in favor of the fired workers for unjustified dismissal and awarded upwards of $60,000 combined as compensation and unpaid wages.
In 2014 AFFCO was fined over $30,000 after firing a worker for refusing to work on the Sabbath as it was against his religion. The worker took the case to the Human Rights Review Tribunal as an infringement on his human right to religion.
Strikes
In 2012 a strike occurred throughout all AFFCO Meatworks plants after AFFCO locked out over 750 union workers. After weeks of protest the strike found support in multiple organisations, including the Mana Party and the New Zealand Labour Party. The strike was called off after AFFCO and the New Zealand Meatworkers came to an agreement after 12 weeks of striking.
In June 2015 another strike broke out after lockouts started occurring once again after a contractual disagreement between New Zealand Meatworkers and AFFCO regarding individual contracts and seasonal workers. In early-2016 the Employment Court ruled that AFFCO had illegally locked out workers and ruled that the company must allow workers back to work.
In March 2016 more strikes occurred after AFFCO announced staff layoffs.
Unsafe working conditions
In 2008 AFFCO received fines amounting to $75,000 after failing to ensure a safe working environment after a worker had his finger cut off during work.
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In 2010 AFFCO was fined up to $53,000 after failing to ensure a safe working environment after a workers leg was broken after being trapped in a machine that did not have appropriate safety gear.
In July 2012 AFFCO was fined over $62,000 after failing to ensure a safe working environment after a worker fell 7 metres (23 ft) into a carton well area. Preventative measures taken after the initial probability of accident was noticed, including installing a gate at the top of the well-shaft and providing employees with a fall arrest harness, were not sufficient to prevent the fall from happening.
In February 2015 AFFCO was fined $5,000 after the Employment Relations Authority found that a former worker was unjustifiably dismissed after launching complaints of bullying in the workplace.
Meat hook incident
In 2014 it was reported that a male at the Rangiuru site was impaled in the cheek during work. In June 2015 AFFCO was charged by Worksafe New Zealand under the Health and Safety Employment Act. After an investigation it was found that AFFCO had not followed company safety regulations and was found guilty of breaking the Health and Safety Employment Act. After a lengthy trial AFFCO was fined $30,000 for failing to uphold the Health and Safety Employment Act. They were also fined a further $25,000 in reparation fees for the impaled worker.
Sewage discharge
Affco NZ Ltd processing plant at Moerewa and Wairoa are a major source of trade wastewater in the form of e. coli contamination to freshwater streams.
