By Christine de Kock
A UNIONboss has promised workers retrenched on Friday from a Braybrook yarn factory they will not be left out in the cold.
Michelle O’Neil, secretary of the Textile Clothing Union of Australia (TCFUA), said the Feltex workers who lose their jobs will receive the maximum assistance available.
“And they will be given the opportunity to attend workshops in an effort to prepare them for the job cuts,” Ms O’Neil said.
The closure of the yarn operation at the end of this week will result in 205 job losses – a combination of 185 direct job cuts at the Braybrook site and 20 management cuts at the Tottenham yarn operation’s head office.
The New Zealandowned company, one of Australia’s largest carpet manufacturers, has operated in Braybrook for 60 years as a producer of yarn and carpet.
Several workers have been with the company for more than 10 years.
They fear they will struggle to reenter the job market as many of them are skilled only in the textile industry.
“While still on site there will be a variety of information and support services provided,” Ms O’Neil said.
“People from Victoria University will be going into the work place to explain retraining options.
“We have Centrelink running information sessions, their superannuation fund Australian Retirement Fund running information sessions, and financial advisers the company has arranged will also provide information.
“The union is running sessions making sure workers understand what assistance is available from both the federal and state governments.
“To add to all that, we have asked the company to provide a support worker for up to 10 months to be based in the western suburbs to help workers with various issues like job searches and training,” Ms O’Neil said.
“And we have established a worker support and advocacy project for which the company will provide up to $2000 per worker for training costs.
“We think it is very important to provide these assistance programs,” she said.
“It will be very tough out there on the job market when they lose their jobs.”
Feltex spokesman John Walsh said the Braybrook yarn operations would close due to excess capacity which resulted from “a competitive market, mergers and acquisitions”.
The company runs four yarn spinning plants in New Zealand.
