Adobe Systems

Tuesday 1 May 2012

Media Release

Unions negotiate new deal for workers facing tough times at Summit Wool Spinners

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union – along with the FIRST Union – have negotiated a new collective agreement with management at Oamaru wool carpet-maker, Summit Wool Spinners, as part of company re-structuring plans.

The company had foreshadowed job losses during negotiations and is now going through a process of asking for voluntary redundancies from its workforce.

“It’s common knowledge that Summit faces very difficult trading conditions with the high dollar hitting export prices as well as stiff competition from synthetic carpet manufacturers,” says EPMU Lead Organiser, John Gardner. “This new deal will give Summit workers and management some certainty as to what will be happening at the plant over the next couple of years.”

The new collective agreement maintains a rotating twelve hour shift system – a condition that was overwhelming supported by workers when they ratified the agreement.

“Notwithstanding the pending redundancies, union delegates and officials have reached a position that has been accepted by the members with the future of the company in mind. We are confident that this new agreement puts jobs and Summit on a secure footing for the future” says Mr Gardner.

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