Heinz Wattie's to cut 100 jobs across NZ

Heinz Watties factory, King St, Hastings.

Heinz Wattie's has not confirmed whether employees at its Hastings plant will be included in 100 job cuts throughout New Zealand, although it is understood production staff won't be affected.
The company announced tonight it was implementing a new structure for its Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand businesses.
"These changes will enable the company to become more flexible and efficient to support growth in extremely competitive local and global markets."
A total of 245 employees across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand would be affected by the changes.
A Heinz Wattie's spokesman could not confirm tonight whether the Heinz Wattie's Hastings plant would be affected.
He could only say there would be "about 100" redundancies made "across New Zealand".
Heinz Watties employs 1600 people in New Zealand.
The spokesman was unable to say when the redundancies would happen.
A consultation period began today, during which the company would receive feedback on the proposal and it could last a couple of weeks.
"The Company's first priority is to work with these employees and their families. Every effort will be made to provide them with the necessary assistance to help them through this phase."
Workers at the Hastings plant were told yesterday there were going to be job losses in both New Zealand and Australia.
One worker believed it was going to be higher-paid salary workers who would lose their jobs.
Service and Food Workers Union organiser Thomas O'Neill said the union wanted more detail on the redundancies.
"We need more information just like everybody else."
But he understood it production staff would not be affected, but higher-paid staff not covered by the union's collective.