Bakers Advised To Move
Illawarra Mercury
Friday November 17, 2006
THIRTY Illawarra bakers face the prospect of competing with each other for a handful of Sydney-based jobs.
The employees will be out of work when Buttercup Bakery at Unanderra stops production at the end of the month.However, under a restructure by owner Goodman Fielder, it is believed up to seven positions will become available at the company's Moorebank facility.Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union organiser Brian Smith said this would put long-time colleagues in a difficult position."It's going to be highly competitive and could cause problems because some people will undoubtedly miss out," he said.Further jobs are expected to be created at plants throughout NSW and Australia."Some workers may be lucky to get jobs in Sydney but the option of moving interstate isn't that appealing," Mr Smith said."These are people with families and mortgages."Goodman Fielder spokesman Ian Greenshields said the company was hopeful it could source employment for several of the bakers."There is the possibility people can work in other parts of the business and this may come down to them being willing to move," he said."We are also talking to our suppliers and customers to see if there are any other positions available within the industry."Mr Greenshields reiterated that the closure was necessary for the company to remain efficient in "a highly competitive industry". The Princes Hwy facility will continue operating as a distribution centre employing nine people. Company representatives and union officials met again yesterday to discuss redundancy packages for workers unable to secure jobs.Mr Smith said the talks were experiencing some difficulties."The company are only willing to pay what they have to when they could be a bit more generous to workers who have been loyal to them for many years," he said.Discussions will resume on Monday.Goodman Fielder, Australia's biggest publicly listed food company, is expected to achieve a $223.9 million net profit in 2006-07.Company chief executive Peter Margin said more factories would be shut over the next couple of years to improve operations.
© 2006 Illawarra Mercury