Workers laid off seek ‘positive talks’

Press, 19 August 1985, Page 9

Workers laid off seek ‘positive talks’

Workers laid off from a Sockburn heavy-engineering firm want the business to stay open in order to keep their jobs, and hope for “positive talks” with the management this morning.

Almost 30 workers at Flewellen and Lipscomb were given one hour to stop work, pack their clothes, and leave the premises at lunchtime on Friday. The president of the Boilermakers’ Union, Mr Bill Chisholm, said workers wanted to see the firm stay open, but failing that wanted a fair redundancy deal.

The firm, which began business more than 30 years ago, had a peak workforce of about 45 employees a

year ago but did not appear to be short of work.

No detailed explanation of why the firm was closing was given to the workers, who were taken by surprise, said Mr Chisholm. Young workers from the firm should not have much trouble finding alternative jobs in Christchuurch but those near retirement age would have some difficulty, he said. The workers were given four weeks pay when laid off. Mr Chisholm said he hoped positive talks would be held with the company this morning. The managing director, Mr Ken Lipscomb, had no comment.