Six Hastings workers at Wattie's are being made redundant in the company's latest wave of job losses that includes a total of 45 across New Zealand and Australia.
Yet despite the news, the layoffs in Hawke's Bay are being labelled a "win-win" by Bay Union Group organiser John Young. "They have identified some positions that are surplus and have offered voluntary redundancies - there are enough people who want to put their hand up and get the payout, so it is not really a big issue," he said.
"This new owner, if there are any efficiencies to be gained and surplus staff they don't mind paying out and getting rid of them. We have a good redundancy deal and the older workers - 60 or 65 - are rapt to get a good payout before they retire. It is quite a good win-win for everyone."
In reaction to the news, Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said: "We don't like any job losses but it is just a small number." He said he understood the future of the plant was "very sound".
"This is just a further change to make it as efficient as possible."
