The owner of iconic brand King Island Dairy’s decision today to close the dairy was a savage blow for 58 workers at the historic business, United Workers Union said today.
“Global dairy company Saputo’s failure to find a buyer for King Island Dairy will send a shockwave through this small community that has been proud of its dairy products for 120 years,” Neil Smith, United Workers Union’s National Dairy Co-ordinator, said today.
“Reports that Saputo has said King Island Dairy ‘had not kept up with the times’ will be nothing but upsetting for devoted workers.
“For the record, workers are incredibly proud they have made King Island Dairy’s quality cheeses in their distinctive blue packaging a feature of cheeseboards and dinner parties across Australia.
“Everything needs to be done now to make sure that hard-working dairy workers who have devoted literally decades to this business are looked after as much as possible.
“The greatest hope would be that a buyer could see the value in the cheese and dairy products coming from this unique part of Australia.
“We would also expect the Tasmanian Government to be concerned about a hit like this to Tasmania’s regional economic wellbeing.
“If a sale can’t be achieved, we are happy that the company has already flagged as an option redeployment to Saputo’s other businesses, whether they are in Tasmania or in Victoria.
“Of course, during the consultation period we expect to understand just how that will occur, and how people can put their hands up if they want.
“If redeployment can’t occur, or it doesn’t suit workers’ family circumstances, then we want to ensure that people are paid justly for their years of labour.”