Fisher & Paykel Appliances has just announced that its Auckland refrigeration workers will be returning to a 40 hour week after its job scheme saved 60 jobs for the company.
The Government’s Job Support Scheme saw 350 workers reduce their working week to 35 hours. Under the agreement workers pay was supplemented with an additional 3.5 hours of pay made up of both government and company contributions, staff also took 1.5 hours a week paid leave.
The Minister of Social Development and Employment, Paula Bennett and Fisher & Paykel CEO, John Bongard made the joint announcement of the withdrawal yesterday.
“Although all markets remain tough in terms of trading, the East Tamaki plant, coming into its traditional peak production season, has sufficient orders going forward to enable it to return to normal working hours,” said Bongard.
“The job support Scheme has been pivotal in allowing us to keep our skilled assembly line workers employed through the recent slump.”
Bongard was very pleased with the results of the scheme and how it helped the company.
“I’m very happy that one of the first companies to take up this help from the Government is now in the position to return to a normal 40 hour working week for its manufacturing employees,” he said.
“This is fantastic news for Fisher & Paykel and for the 60 people whose jobs have been saved.”