18 Feb 2012

Union claims jobs on line at Goodman Fielder

4:53 am on 18 February 2012

The union for employees at the Goodman Fielder food group says the company is planning to axe jobs at its operations in New Zealand.

First Union says Goodman Fielder has laid off about 300 employees in Australia over the past few months and has now turned its attention to New Zealand.

General secretary Robert Reid says the company has had redundancy restructuring discussions over the past few weeks, which he says are likely to lead to job losses in New Zealand.

He says the company has its sights on one plant in particular, where up to 20 jobs could be on the line.

Mr Reid says the union is concerned that the company has yet to approach it, but hopes to meet with executives next week to find out what their intentions are.

Goodman Fielder could not be reached for comment.

On Tuesday, Goodman Fielder reported a sharp fall in half year profit.

The company made $A42.9 million in the final six months of last year - less than half what it made in the same period a year earlier. Revenue fell almost 4% to $A13 billion.

Goodman Fielder brands include Meadowlea, Vogels and Edmonds.