Mass redundancies as quake-damaged carpet factory closes
Godfrey Hirst subsidiary Canterbury Spinners is to close its Christchurch operation with the loss of up to 195 jobs after its Bromley factory was destroyed in last month's earthquake.
Godfrey Hirst subsidiary Canterbury Spinners is to close its Christchurch operation with the loss of up to 195 jobs because its Bromley factory was destroyed in last month's earthquake.
The company said its plant was too heavily damaged to reopen.
Godfrey Hirst New Zealand general manager Tania Pauling said the company planned to relocate some staff to other plants in Lower Hutt and Dannevirke.
About 30 staff had expressed an interest in relocating, a spokesman told NBR.
Ms Pauling said extensive damage to the plant and equipment “left us in the terrible situation of having to close the plant.”
“We have a loyal and capable team at Canterbury Spinners and the company is saddened that, owing to events beyond its control, it will lose a significant number of skilled staff who are unable to relocate to the North Island. ”
The National Distribution Union, which represents many of the workers, said the news came as a heavy blow for workers already reeling from the earthquake.
"Many of these workers live on the devastated east side of the city where the factory is based," NDU Southern Region Secretary Paul Watson said.
The union said it was satisfied with the redundancy provisions but the government needed to provide more support to assist the effected workers.
“Canterbury Spinners workers appear not to qualify for any earthquake job loss cover and that is unfair,” Mr Watson said.
Duncan Bridgeman
Tue, 15 Mar 2011
Tue, 15 Mar 2011
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Mass redundancies as quake-damaged carpet factory closes
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