TCF UNION FIGHTS TO SAVE PACIFIC BRANDS JOBS AND INDUSTRY

25 February 2009

Michele O'Neil 

Today’s announcement by Pacific Brands of the loss of 1850 jobs through the closure of their clothing manufacturing in Australia will affect the whole TCF Industry.  The Textile Clothing and Footwear Union of Australia which represents the vast majority of workers affected today, slammed the company decision and called for urgent discussions between industry minister Kim Carr, Pacific Brands and the TCFUA, aimed at saving jobs. 

Michele O’Neil, National Secretary of the TCFUA today said, ‘This is a devastating blow to these workers, their families, this industry and Australia.  We are not talking just the 1850 jobs losses announced today, the likely spin off effect on suppliers and other companies in the industry could well see thousands more jobs lost.’                                             

‘The Union does not accept that the complete closure of these sites is necessary.  A number of the brands and divisions of this business continue to be profitable whilst manufacturing in Australia.  This company has received millions of dollars of Federal Government Assistance over many years.  This includes $9 million in 07/08 and $8.6 million in 05/06 of taxpayers’ money.  How can a company take from the Australian Government and the Australian community for years without a mutual obligation to keep jobs in Australia?’ 

‘I have today spoken to the industry Minister Kim Carr and he has agreed to participate in urgent discussions with the company aimed at saving jobs.  I call on Pacific Brands to genuinely participate in such a discussion, we do not accept that this decision is inevitable or that jobs cannot be saved.’ Pacific Brands own many iconic Australian labels including Bonds, Holeproof, Kayser, KingGee and Yakka.  Their manufacturing sites are spread across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.   

O’Neil went on to say, ‘The majority of the workers employed by this company are migrant women who have long years of service, their prospects of finding alternative work in the current economic crisis are grim.  The Federal Government has not released it’s response to the Textile Clothing and Footwear Industry Review, the report of which was given to the Government in August of 2008.  The Union and TCF Industry leaders last week wrote to the Prime Minister seeking his direct involvement in discussions about the urgent need for an industry assistance package for the TCF Industry.’ 

‘The Government must act urgently and decisively to save jobs.’   

Ms O’Neil will be available for comment outside the Pacific Brands head office at 290 Burwood Road, Hawthorn at 10.45am today. 

A further press conference will be held with Michele O’Neil and workers outside the Kayser Pacific Brands factory, 23-49 Maffra St Coolaroo at 2.00pm today