17 jobs lost as Bridon/Cookes reaches the end of its rope

Seventeen workers at the iconic Bridon/Cookes wire rope company in Auckland are to be made redundant as the company ceases production in New Zealand.

The company has blamed the high New Zealand dollar for making it uncompetitive to keep the work in New Zealand.

“While the numbers on the manufacturing index look good, the reality for the people on the ground is that the manufacturing jobs crisis is still going,” says Steve Westoby, the EPMU organiser representing workers at Bridon/Cookes.

“For six years now we’ve had no action from the government to support manufacturers to invest in adding value and creating skilled, secure jobs. The high dollar is still hurting the industry, and workers are paying the price.

“Every month, more and more companies are telling us that it’s just not possible to keep the work in New Zealand, and there aren’t any opportunities for workers to get similar, jobs elsewhere.

“Over a year ago the Manufacturing Inquiry produced a report with serious, practical ways the government could boost manufacturing and support jobs. For the sake of Kiwi workers and Kiwi businesses, we’re asking the government once again to use that report and save manufacturing jobs.”

Manufacturing will finish at the East Tamaki site by the end of October.

EPMU members at are entitled to redundancy compensation under their union-negotiated collective employment agreement.

ENDS

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