Some mill staff to be laid off

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33792, 14 March 1975, Page 16

Some mill staff to be laid off

Old equipment in the weaving and wetfinishing departments of Kaiapoi Textiles, Ltd, will be phased out, which will result in some staff being laid off.

The scheme is part of further rationalisation at the Kaiapoi mill. It is hoped that it will result in more efficient production and provide more employment in the future.

A statement to the staff from Mosgiel Woollens, Ltd, said that the moves would cover several months, and that the first stage of rationalisation would affect staff in the weaving and cloth-processing departments. The general manager of the yam and textile division of Mosgiel, Ltd (Mr J. M. B. Zewald), said that some of the staff would be offered transfers but some would be surplus to requirements. The general managing director (Mr J. S. Lee) said that the transfers x.ould be to other departments or to the company in Dunedin. Mr Lee was unable to say how many of the staff would be affected. He said that it was not a downturn in production, but

was designed to make the mill a highly efficient unit, and that the cost of production would be much more economical. Mr Zewald said that there would be increased activity in spinning, balling, packing, and dispatch of knitting yams and increased activity in banket raising, packing, and distribution. ‘‘Staff members concerned will be notified in writing of their transfer or termination progressively over the next few months,” Mr Zewald said. “We want to provide as much notice as possible.” “We will offer alternative employment where this is applicable,” he said.

Appeal head.—The Minister of Labour (Mr Faulkner) will take over the chairmanship of the Nortaan Kirk Memorial Appeal Fund Committee from the High Com-missioner-designate to London (Mr Watt).—(P.A.)