Unions demand no change to Feltex pay and conditions

Unions have said they refuse to accept any reductions in pay and conditions for Feltex workers employed by the company's new owner Godfrey Hirst.

The National Distribution Union, and Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union today began two days of talks with the Australian carpet company over the fate of the remaining Feltex staff.

Godfrey Hirst, which agreed to buy the carpet manufacturer out of receivership on October 3, yesterday announced the complete closure of the Christchurch Feltex factory, with a loss of 134 jobs.

Another 55 staff had already been made redundant when the Feltex Kakariki plant near Marton closed on October 3.

Feltex receiver McGrathNicol is offering redundant workers up to $15,000, well below the $50,000 they could have expected if they were made redundant last year.

The remaining workers are under threat of reduced terms and conditions under a new collective agreement with Godfrey Hirst but the unions are determined to get a decent deal.

NDU national secretary Laila Harre said a reduction in pay and conditions was unacceptable.

"Because of Feltex's size and stature its collective agreement was a benchmark for the industry," she said.

"Now Godfrey Hirst has signalled its intention to reduce that benchmark and that will impact further than just this one company -- we're going to fight to stop that happening."

EPMU secretary Andrew Little said Godfrey Hirst had got Feltex cheaply, and now wanted workers to be cheaper too.

- NZPA