Over 60 years of dedication

An Otatara man recently retired after an impressive 64-year career as a union meat worker at Blue Sky Pastures. Ken McLeod, 80, is believed to be the longest-serving union member in the industry, with a majority of his career spent boning meat before transitioning to trimming cuts. Despite his father’s expectations for him to join the family trucking business, McLeod chose to work at the Southland Frozen Meat Company’s Makarewa Works at the age of 16. His decision was influenced by the strong union presence and competitive wages offered by the industry.

In 1988, McLeod joined Blue Sky Meats and never looked back. He quickly became involved with the meatworkers union and eventually served as the sub-branch president for 28 years. Known for his negotiation skills and commitment to finding agreements without resorting to strikes, McLeod earned the respect of his colleagues and management alike. He witnessed significant improvements in health and safety standards over the years, including the introduction of chain lines for carcass processing and regular physiotherapy sessions for employees.

McLeod’s dedication to his work extended beyond the factory floor. For many years, he surprised his female co-workers with Christmas lilies in their changing rooms, a tradition he promised to uphold even in retirement. His farewell at Blue Sky was marked by heartfelt gestures from colleagues, including a signed work shirt, filleting knives, and an electric fishing reel. As he embraces retirement, McLeod looks forward to completing long-overdue tasks and cherishing the memories of his remarkable career.