July 12, 2012

Media Release

Goulds Fine Foods closes at cost of 55 jobs

Goulds Fine Foods in Petone has closed its doors at a cost of 55 jobs.

The company ceased operations yesterday and has informed the union it is currently in the process of appointing a receiver.

EPMU organiser Kim Ellis says the sudden closure has come as a shock to workers.

“This is obviously a very sad day for our members, particularly given the length some of the people here have served. There are people here working into their fortieth year of service and a lot of families and husbands and wives employed together.

“Goulds has been through some tough times in recent years and the management appears to have been overly optimistic that it could trade its way out of its difficulties. Unfortunately that hasn’t happened and the workers have paid the price.

“EPMU members at Goulds are all covered by a redundancy agreement, and we’ll be working to ensure the receivers honour this commitment and pay out our members’ full entitlements.”

The EPMU is New Zealand’s largest private sector union, representing 40,000 workers across eleven industries.

ENDS

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