Redundancies at Pacific Aerospace

September 15, 2005

Media Release

Redundancies at Pacific Aerospace

Forty-five workers at Pacific Aerospace Corporation in Hamilton will be laid off at 9am tomorrow.

Skilled tradespeople brought from the United Kingdom to work at the plant are likely to be among those losing their jobs, a move which could affect their immigration status.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union national secretary Andrew Little said that there was a redundancy package in the workers’ collective employment agreement, and that the company was meeting all its legal obligations.

“But it’s very disappointing that it’s come to this, especially when you consider that until a few weeks ago the company was bringing workers into the country.”

Mr Little said that there was a shortage of skilled workers in the Waikato area and it was likely that all redundant workers would find other jobs.

“We’re doing all we can to help with that,” he said.

Pacific Aerospace Corporation employs 194 people. The company blames the redundancies on a cancelled order for its flagship plane, the PAC 750XL.

ENDS

© Scoop Media