62 Wellington jobs lost as Orora Cartons announces closure

14 November 2014

62 Wellington jobs lost as Orora Cartons announces closure

Orora Cartons is proposing to close its Lower Hutt facility at the loss of 62 jobs as the crisis for New Zealand manufacturing sector continues to affect businesses.

“Orora is suffering the knock-on effects from Unilever announcing their closure next year,” says Joe Gallagher, EPMU industry organiser. “They’re a major customer for Orora in Wellington and it’s just not economical for them to stay open.

“This just shows why we need a strong, well-supported manufacturing sector. The loss of one major player is having a massive effect on everyone else. There’s no one to fill the gap.”

The factory will gradually wind down operations, with the final closure scheduled for mid-2016.

“These are highly-skilled, well-paid manufacturing jobs being lost in the Wellington region,” says Joe Gallagher. “Despite the claims that manufacturing is in growth, on the ground we’re just seeing more and more workers losing out.”

EPMU members at Orora cartons will receive up to 52 weeks’ redundancy pay under their collective agreement.

ENDS

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