Country 99TV News can finally reveal that workers at Silver Fern’s recently destroyed Te Aroha processing plant were docked pay for the two minute’s silence in respect for victims of the Pike River Mining Disaster.

According to some workers Country 99TV has spoken to, payslips were altered after the production line stopped for two minutes’ silence, docking workers accordingly.

One worker, who did not wish to be named, said plant workers weren’t told about the pay change, and only realised once he had seen his payslip.

“I mean I would never have agreed to something like that.

“You can’t just take it upon yourself to take money off a person.

“I’m actually amazed…if what the manager has told me today is true.”

Silver Fern Farms CEO Keith Cooper released this response:

“With regard to Silver Fern Farms’ Te Aroha plant – on its own initiative the local branch of the NZ Meat Workers Union approached Silver Fern Farms in support of the memorial silence.” 

The company said the option to make up the time at the end of the day was offered, but the Union representative rejected that offer.

"The Union declined the offer as a gesture of solidarity with Silver Fern Farms as an employer and in the spirit of comradeship with the West Coast workers."

Meatworkers’ Union general secretary Dave Eastlake says the move was not union policy, and he hadn’t heard anything similar from other plants.

“I’m based in Christchurch, I certainly don’t follow each day’s pay at every works around the country.

“The reports that I’ve had is that a full days production was done and paid for.

“It would certainly be an individual plat decision, if there is was actually a decision.”

As we reported on Thursday, most workers from Te Aroha have been relocated to other works around the North Island.