Eight jobs lost at Top Energy in Northland

5 February 2014

Eight jobs lost at Top Energy in Northland

At least eight jobs will go at Top Energy, a community-owned generator and lines company in Northland, says the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union.

Top Energy is restructuring to cut costs and made the announcement to workers today.

“Top Energy is really doing what it can in difficult economic circumstances,” says Kelvin Ellis, EPMU organiser. “But the Northland region is getting no support from the government to grow and create secure, well-paid jobs. Our members will have a hard time finding work.”

“While Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce is ‘urging’ Northland iwi and communities to ‘embrace’ job opportunities, over the past five years wages have gone backwards, the manufacturing sector has been decimated, and community-owned businesses like Top Energy have had to cut jobs to survive.

“Northlanders are hard-working people, but the jobs aren’t there. We need a real plan to grow a strong economy and lift wages in the regions.”

ENDS

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