Sanford workers strike in Havelock

Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Sanford mussel farming crews have picketed on the streets of Havelock, calling for fairer wages for their difficult work.

The workers went on strike for 12 hours on Wednesday after negotiations with Sanford for a new Collective Employment Agreement had stalled.

Maritime Union New Zealand Nelson branch secretary Holly Payne said the protracted negotiations were because Sanford refused to value its frontline workforce.

Crew members, including deckhands, senior deckhands and skippers, were working under outdated individual agreements, she said.

They wanted to be paid at the full rate for all hours spent onboard their ship, and to have “long-stagnant allowances” brought up to date.

“Our members work incredibly long and hard hours, often in arduous conditions, to make Sanford the profitable company it is,” Payne said.

“Mussel vessel crew members can live on board for four days, working 17-hour shifts with seven hours off for sleep and rest a day.

“Sanford posted a $34 million net profit in the first half of this year, yet it refuses to give its loyal, long-serving workers a pay review, which they haven’t seen in two years.”

Payne said that Sanford’s response to the workers’ claims was to propose clawbacks of existing conditions.

“This isn’t just about wages, it’s about respect.

“Sanford can easily afford to pay their workers fairly. This strike is a last resort for a workforce that has been pushed to the limit by a company that has lost any sense of obligation to the people whose hard work generates its success.”

Sanford chief executive David Mair declined to comment.