Pacific Brands finally closes doors

Pacific Brands finally closes doors

Media release: National Distribution Union

30 July 2009

Pacific Brands is finally closing the doors of its Palmerston North and Christchurch factories with a combined job loss of 90.

The Palmerston North factory closes soon after 11.00 am today, Thursday and the Christchurch factory on Friday.

“A few jobs are being created producing socks in Christchurch as a result of a management purchase of some of the machinery,” says Robert Reid, President of the National Distribution Union.

“However the union understands that despite a number of approaches from investors wanting to purchase the “Liberty” underwear brand made by the Palmerston North factory, no sale has been made.

“This is a great pity as a viable industry employing over 20 workers could have been maintained in Palmerston North, if Pacific Brands were willing to accept offers to buy the Liberty Brand.

“Even at this late stage the union hopes a sale of the brand for local manufacture can take place. The union has been in discussions with Vision Manawatu and a number of possible investors to see what is possible,” Robert Reid says.

“Workers at Pacific Brands leave with holiday pay and full redundancy entitlements unlike their counterparts at LWR. The Pacific Brand and LWR factories were originally all part of the old LWR / Canterbury empire before it was broken up.

“The union has also negotiated with Pacific Brands for a training package of up to $3,000 for each redundant worker and for a two–three month training and redundant worker support programme for workers at both sites.

“A number of those workers finishing up have signalled that they are likely to retire. But for those looking for work the job situation is pretty grim,” Robert Reid says.

NDU Textile and Clothing Secretary, Maxine Gay who has had a long association with workers at the Palmerston North site through the old Clothing Workers Union and current NDU organiser Dion Martin will be at the factory for the last morning tea with the workers today.

ENDS

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