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ANDRE CHUMKO / STUFF [1965-9005] Hawkes Bay retail employees and union members stole Napier Farmers' shop for better pay
First Union accused farmers of brutal intimidation tactics, some workers on strike receiving notices of suspension to protest the wage conditions.
Hundreds of agricultural workers across the country went on strike Thursday between noon and 5 pm, demanding a more equitable compensation and performance appraisal system.
While eight workers left work in Palmerston North, they received letters paying them for the duration of the protests or until they returned to work
Catherine Harris / Stuff
More suspensions were distributed in Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wellington and Rangiora but not in other cities.
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Dion Martin, organizer of Palmerston North "
" [Farmers] are in the process increase the bet when they do not need it, "Martin said.
It was unusual for Farmers staff to go on strike, and a sign of how fed up they were, he said.
"Many [on strike] are loyal and long-term employees, some worked with farmers for 30 years.
Hundreds of farmers went on strike to protest low wages across the country Thursday afternoon