Factories in Christchurch are already offering work to the staff made redundant by Independent Fisheries.
About 200 staff who work at the fish processing plant in Woolston learnt on Friday afternoon that they are to lose their jobs in four weeks' time.
Service and Food Workers Union spokesman Ian Hodgetts says other factories including Wattie's, Tegal and Halliers have offered to meet with workers in a fortnight to talk about jobs.
"The company will be operating a jobs board within the plant. A whole range of jobs will be offered, CVs will be done, the whole range of things that you do to help out people that they've unfortunately had to make redundant."
The company says unaffordable earthquake repairs and intense competition from cheaper foreign-sourced fish product are behind the downsizing.
Matty Broughton has been with the company for 28 years and says it has been a hard day.
"I really didn't want to give up. I could go on the pension now if I wanted to, but my life has been wit this company for quite a while and I've really enjoyed the family atmosphere that they have here. It's a bit emotional for me at the moment."
However, some who have worked for the company for many years say they are happy their redundancy payouts reflect their long service.
