A pregnancy announcement should be a time for celebration, but for Shane Evans the news has been marred by Fletcher International Exports closing their doors, leaving him without a week of pay.
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Mr Evans took to the streets yesterday to hand out resumes, in search of temporary employment while the abattoir was closed.
Wednesday afternoon a member of the public posted a photo on Twitter of a Fletcher's notice signed by plant manager Adam Isbester.
"Due to industrial action by the AMIEU and Employer action response the abattoir will not operate at all on the following:- Thursday 29th January 2015, Friday 30th January 2015, Monday 2nd February 2015, Tuesday 3rd February 2015, Wednesday 4th February 2015. Work to scheduled re-commence [sic] Thursday 5th February 2015".
By Wednesday night Mr Evans had posted on Facebook for temporary work saying he was "willing to give just about anything a go".
"I've got a family to support, bills to pay... I've got to look after my family. Family are the most important thing," he said.
Mr Evans said he supported his partner and step-son and while it had not been public knowledge, said he would soon would be providing for a baby as well.
"There's a lot of people out there in a worse boat then me. They've got families bigger than mine to support.
"I understand he wanted to prove a point but there's a lot of people out there who need the work."
AMIEU state industrial organiser Mark Perkins said the decision to close the abattoir until Thursday took everyone by surprise.
He said the workers voted to take industrial action because the company was seeking an extra half an hour production time and they wanted to be compensated for that work, however they were unprepared for Fletchers' response.
"We only want to get them back to the table again so we can get an outcome for everyone," Mr Perkins said.
Fletchers director Roger Fletcher said it was the union that had the problem.
"We're always there ready to meet AMIEU," he said.
"They've got their problem. They can't work it out between themselves, that's their problem."
Mr Perkins said the union and Fletchers were planning on having a mass meeting to discuss and hopefully resolve the issue on Monday.
"The goal is to find that happy medium that benefits everyone," Mr Perkins said.
"I've still been in contact with the company. My phone line is always open."
He said it was too early to speculate on what would happen if an agreement was not met.
