KEY POINTS:
More than 200 people could lose their jobs if Cadbury Confectionery goes ahead with a proposal to shut its Avondale factory and shift production overseas.
The factory announced yesterday it could close within the next two years.
Machinery for Jaffas, Pineapple Lumps and Pebbles may be moved to Cadbury's chocolate factory in Dunedin and production of its marshmallow lines could move to an expanded plant in Scoresby, Melbourne.
Other product lines may be outsourced, possibly to China. Cadbury's London-based parent company announced in June it was looking at global restructuring.
Jill Ovens, northern region secretary for the Service and Food Workers Union, said the three unions that represent the workers would talk to their members and work on a joint submission to keep the jobs in Auckland, retrain staff or relocate them to Dunedin.
She said a decision would be made by the end of next month whether the plant would be kept open.
"Our main concern is for our members. It is not easy to find jobs in the food industry because turnover is very low," Ms Ovens said.
"But we also told the company that customers would not buy lollies made in China. With all the concerns about food safety, New Zealanders prefer to have their lollies made at home. This means we'll have less choice in our lollies."
Ms Ovens said supermarkets were indicating to food manufacturers they were limiting the range of products on their shelves and this was a factor in the decision to close the factory.
The closure, if it goes ahead, will begin next March and is expected to be completed in 2009.
