Redundancies at local Pumpkin Patch operations

Around 55 staff at Pumpkin Patch's East Tamaki Head Office and Distribution Centre were given notice today that their jobs could be made redundant.

This follows the announcement of the company earlier in the day that it is closing down its US stores and scaling down its UK business.

Robert Reid, General Secretary of the National Distribution Union that represents around 20 workers at the Distribution Centre, said that the company had informed the union that the Distribution Centre’s 6 person strong night shift was likely to be disestablished and two members of the NDU from that shift were issued with consultation letters that could lead to their redundancy.

“The union and its two members have a week to get back to the company with any proposals that may reduce or eliminate the need for redundancy,” Robert Reid said.

“This is a legal requirement on firms proposing to make people redundant.

“Our two members have told us that they want to retain their jobs at Pumpkin Patch, so we will be raising issues of voluntary redundancy and eliminating the use of casuals as two possible ways that these jobs could be saved.

Robert Reid said that Pumpkin Patch CEO Maurice Prendergast addressed the Distribution Centre staff late Wednesday afternoon and had spoken to groups of other staff during the day.

“Redundancy pay is available to those who are made redundant and a one months’ notice period is also available that union members have been told they do not need to work out,” Robert Reid said.

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