Union. predicts job losses

Press, 16 July 1983, Page 23

Union. predicts job losses

PA Palmerston North If Borthwicks-C.W.S. went ahead with plans to stop its export lamb kill at the Feilding freezing works, 150 people would lose their jobs, according to the Meatworkers’ Union. The union’s West Coast branch president, Roger Middlemass, said the job losses would be immediate if the company permanently closed one chain, ceased iamb kills and gave up E.E.C. export licences on all products at the plant. The company had announced its intention not to reapply for an export licence for lamb after the plant failed to meet stringent E.E.C. veterinary standards during the recent inspection. The Feilding works will continue to operate as a beef and mutton slaughtering facility while its lamb

kill will be transferred to the company’s Longburn works. Mr Middlemass said as well as the 150 job losses, the remaining 700 workers would have their season and incomes “drastically reduced” if the plan went ahead. “The sole reason for this situation is the company’s failure, during the past 20 years, to provide the necessary capital expenditure to maintain essential hygiene standards. As a result, a new mutton slaughterboard is now required at a cost of SI2M if the E.E.C. export licence is to be retained,” he said. “We call on the Government to take necessary initiatives — including financial assistance — to ensure jobs are not lost arid the present kill is maintained,” Mr Middlemass said.