October 11th, 2006

NDU/EPMU Joint Media Release

Feltex workers protest redundancies

National Distribution Union and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union unionised Feltex workers have taken wildcat protest action at the company’s Riccarton plant.

The workers have been sitting in the plant’s cafeteria since lunchtime and have passed a resolution calling for Feltex’s new owner, Godfrey Hirst, to pay them their full redundancy.

NDU National Secretary Laila Harré says the action was unexpected but not surprising.

“There is a lot of anger and anguish out there these workers have had tens of thousands of dollars worth of redundancies taken from them on top of being left without jobs.”

EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little says this is a sign the company needs to behave more responsibly.

“It’s an insult for Godfrey Hirst to think they can short change loyal and longstanding workers on their hard won entitlements.”

Currently the maximum redundancy available under companies law for a company in receivership is $15,000 which means many workers face the loss of up to $45,000 worth of redundancy.

ENDS

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