Freezing workers “could lose jobs”

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 27

Freezing workers “could lose jobs”

PA Gore More than 1200 freezing workers would lose their jobs if Southland Frozen Meat’s Mataura plant closed because of live sheep exports, according to local union secretary, Mr Alister McLennan. There was a real threat that the works could close because of the reintroduction of live exports, he said. “The sooner people realise that Mataura could close, the better,” he said. “The threat is there if the exports are allowed to carry on.” People outside the freezing industry were being complacent and apathetic because they did not realise the implications of the exports, Mr McLennan said. If Mataura closed, thousands more than just the

redundant workers would be hit.

Mr McLennan said one million ram lambs would be exported from Southland this season which would have a “huge” effect on the freezing industry there. “That is just a start. What about next year and the year after that?” he said. The average lamb kill at Mataura over the last two seasons was 1.25 million. “I can only assume that any of the (four) works in Southland can close and I have to assume the worst,” he said. “I would be avoiding my responsibilities if I didn’t.”

The Southland Frozen Meat communications manager, Mrs Nancy King, said that the company was not doing anything itself about the live exports from Timaru. It had told the

union it was disappointed that members would be protesting in Timaru.

“I admit that we have a vested interest in helping with the union protest but that is not how we operate,” Mrs King said. The Meat Industry Association in Wellington would act on behalf of Southland Frozen Meat.

Mrs King said it was probably extreme to assume the Mataura plant would close.

“Naturally we are not happy about the exports because they will cut into the company livelihood, but we also appreciate that it gives the farmer another option.” That extra option was very important in today’s difficult economic climate, she said.