Baiada MD Speaks out on Recent Job Losses

AUSTRALIA - The managing director of Baiada Poultry says job losses have been minimised, and no further job cuts in the region are planned.
calendar icon 5 August 2009
clock icon 3 minute read

The managing director of Baiada Poultry has told ABC that he cannot guarantee every job in Griffith but he has no plans for further material job cuts in the region.

Last week, the group sacked more than 50 people just days after taking over Bartters Chicken operations in Griffith.

The Australian Workers Union says the sackings came as a shock to staff and were done ruthlessly.

Baiada Poultry's managing director, John Camilleri, says the sackings were unfortunate but they were part of the rationalisation of both businesses.

He says he understands workers' disappointment and anger at the move and says workers have been fully paid out and their entitlements have been properly addressed.

"We've also recently announced that one of our own processing plants will close within the next month in Sydney and those people have also been with us for the last 30 or 40 years, but we see our prime responsibility of ensuring that the Bartter Enterprise as it is, and also the new Baiada Group remains viable long-term," he said.

"Basically the driving factor is to retain as many jobs as possible."

Mr Camilleri says he will visit Griffith this week to talk to workers and Griffith City Council.

"We cannot assure every single job in Griffith or any other region in Australia for that matter," he said. "However, we do not plan any more material job cuts in the Griffith region. I can state that to you."

Mr Camilleri says there are also plans to expand operations at Griffith.

"We see that as a very, very important base for our group going forward," he told ABC. "What we need to do first of all is make sure that we only go forward with things that the business can afford. There's no point having a big hole at the bottom of the ship. We certainly plan to expand in the Griffith region in the next five to 10 years and it'll be an important production hub of poultry for us."

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