19 jobs to go as Bic shuts down manufacturing

September 25, 2013

19 jobs to go as Bic shuts down manufacturing

Pen manufacturer Bic has confirmed it will lay off 19 workers and import pens from overseas instead of making them here, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

Following a brief consultation the company has confirmed that all its Auckland-based manufacturing workers will lose their jobs by early next year.

“We are very disappointed that the company has not reconsidered the closure, and also that it has refused to properly compensate its workers,” says Anita Rosentreter, the EPMU’s organiser for Bic.

Workers have been offered only six weeks’ pay in redundancy compensation. Some have worked for the company for over 30 years.

“Some of these workers have literally given decades of loyal service to Bic, and now they’re being shown the door. This isn’t good enough.”

The EPMU will be advocating for Bic to act honourably and provide its workers with a proper compensation package.

“Our manufacturing sector has been devastated over the past four years. We have seen over that time that workers who lose their jobs, especially older workers, will end up in low-paid, insecure service jobs.”

The EPMU is also calling for Government action on the crisis across our manufacturing industry.

“We need a real strategy to create jobs and fair employment laws which mean workers can move into good, secure jobs when a business shuts its doors.

“Kiwis and their families deserve better than this.”

ENDS

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