Heinz axes 160 jobs at Golden Circle
Shock comes to NUW members at Golden Circle as they learn of 160 jobs to move to New Zealand
NUW Golden Circle members hold mass meeting
Members hold out for mass meeting
After NUW members found out that the beetroot line would be moving to New Zealand and 160 jobs would be cut at Brisbane's Golden Circle site NUW organisers went straight to the site to talk to their members.
When they were told that they could not have a meeting with their members, strong pressure from the membership saw organisers let into the lunchroom. Site organiser, Quan Chuc, stood straight on a chair to address the members after such shocking news had left them distressed and anxious about their futures.
Delegate, Frank Roben, talks to the media, and below delegate, Evelyn Stubbs.
Their organiser was told that the police would be called if he did not stop the 'unlawful' mass meeting, but the members backed each other and their organisers 100% and management had to let the meeting go ahead. This also lead to an apology from Golden Circle's HR manager.
"Some of our members are working until 7pm tonight. I have real safety concerns for those people. After hearing the news they have today, their is real risk of injury. The company has said people are free to go home if they wish, but these workers are scared that it might be their head on the chopping block," said organiser, Quan Chuc.
The Union will be involved in the process of working out voluntary redundancies and fighting for their members to continue working or be retrained
First reports come through of 160 job cuts
Reports are coming through of the announcement from Heinz, that they will axe 160 jobs from Golden Circle's Northgate site.
It seems the company decided to brief the press before their own workers, and after the workers were told of the jobs cuts this morning, they were directed to go straight back to work – as it was a 'normal' working day. Members are now holding an impromptu mass meeting in Brisbane to discuss their futures.
In total, Heinz is sacking 350 workers in Australia, as part of 1000 job losses worldwide, however, Heinz made $2.89 billion in sales last quarter and posted a 15.6 percent rise in Asia-Pacific sales.
NUW National Secretary, Charlie Donnelly, has said this morning; 'It’s extremely disappointing that Heinz, the parent company and multi-national giant, is taking food production off-shore.'
The NUW backs its members at Golden Circle 100% and will keep all NUW members updated as the situation progresses.
