CTU MEDIA RELEASE
07 August 2007

Manufacturing group will help to give the sector the urgency it needs

“Planning for the future development of New Zealand’s manufacturing industry needs a sense of urgency behind it, and the high level input that the Manufacturing Advisory Group provides will be important to this,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

The government today responded to the Manufacturing Vision report released late last year, and have announced the establishment of a Manufacturing Advisory Group, to be co-chaired by EPMU National Secretary Andrew Little and Business New Zealand Chief Executive Phil O'Reilly.

“Union calls for action on a national strategy for manufacturing to address the impact of China led to this initiative,” Ross Wilson said.

“Last year the Manufacturing Vision group came up with a way forward for a modern, viable and growing manufacturing sector in New Zealand. The government response today is welcomed, and unions will continue working with employers and the government to drive this development agenda for manufacturing."

ENDS