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Tegel Foods Ltd staff affected by the huge fire that destroyed a processing plant in Christchurch yesterday will not be out of pocket, nor will they lose their jobs.
Staff met with management and union officials this morning as firefighters continued to dampen hot spots at the Hornby factory site where a processing room the size of a rugby field was razed in the early-morning blaze.
Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) district organiser John Kaye told NZPA this morning a "good news story" was emerging from the embers.
Tegel had no plans for job losses and most of about 300 employees would be redeployed to other parts of the sprawling factory complex.
Those who could not be redeployed within the Tegel operation were being moved to another Christchurch chicken processing plant but would continue to be employed by Tegel.
Mr Kaye said Tegel had even offered to give petrol vouchers to staff working at the rival plant to compensate for extra costs incurred.
"The company is asking people to be flexible on shift, which they're prepared to do," he said.
Tegel had guaranteed to pay all staff for yesterday and today "so there shouldn't be any loss of money".
Mr Kaye said the union was impressed with Tegel's attitude to their employees' situation and was very happy with the company's plans.
"We're very happy. They've done everything we could have asked of them," he said.
Giving out petrol vouchers was "a really nice thing" and something the company wasn't obligated to do.
"In our opinion, they've lived up to their reputation as a good employer," Mr Kaye said.
Firefighters were still watering hotspots at the site this morning and demolition crews were removing parts of the unatable building.
Fire safety officers have deternmined the blaze was not suspicious but late this morning were still unclear about the cause.
Tegel management declined to comment this morning, saying a statement would be issued later today.
- NZPA
