Take-over may save mill jobs

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 2

Take-over may save mill jobs

Greymouth reporter If present talks are sue-! cessful, the Ruatapu sawmill of Fletcher Timber, Ltd, which employs 104 workers: will be taken over by the New Forest Sawmilling Company. No final decision has been ’ reached on the future of the plant, but the South Islands manager of Fletcher’s (Mr B. Waterfield) told staff members on Thursday that he was confident the talks would be successful. Talks were held with Gov-! eminent officials in Welling-[ ton on Wednesday and the matter would be thoroughly investigated. It was hoped that a decision would be; available on December 13, the day after the matter was to be put before the Cabinet. “The welfare of the employees is the thing that concerns us most and we want to be able to give a definite answer before rhe holidays start,” said Mr Waterford. "Whatever happens, I will let them know what the sit-! uation is at that time,” he said. “Negotiations are continuing. aimed at securing a! viable future for the sawmilling and processing industry at Ruatapu,” a joint J statement said. “Other parties involved in I the discussion are the pros- 1 ■ pective purchaser, New For- * est Sawmilling Company, Ltd, the Government, West Coast timberworkers’ and I clerical workers’ unions, the!

Forest Service and the West Coast Regional Development Council.” Although some areas of difference remained Fletcher Timber and New Forest were confident that they could reach agreement, the statement said. Questions i still to be resolved between .the Government and New Forest included log supply and financing. “In an earlier statement, ! Fletcher Timber had indicated that a definite announcement on the future of Ruatapu would be made on November 30 but, after a meeting with Government officials on Wednesday, the ; company' now believes that there is a good chance that ■ the remaining differences! can be resolved. “The Government is treat j ing the matter as urgent and I all parties are anxious to[ ensure continuity of employ-; ment for Ruatapu staff. “Fletcher Timber empha-; i sised that, while there is ut-1 most good will on all sides,! ; it is still too early to predict■ success or failure with the negotiations,” the statement! said. The New Forest Sawmilling Company is owned jointly by three Christchurch-! based companies, Addington; Timber Company, Ltd, W. | W. Keighley and Company, I and the Papanui Timber! Company. A director of the company I (Mr D. Banks) said that if talks were successful, the 104 staff would be kept on. J