The jobs of three South Wairarapa workers have been axed with the surprise closure of Wairarapa Concrete in Featherston. Former Wairarapa Concrete Featherston branch manager Phil Grimwood, who has worked at the site for almost 16 years, said yesterday he was disgusted at the surprise redundancies the day before the 18thbirthday of his late son Aaron, who was accidentally shot dead at their home in November last year. Also his home yesterday were Mr Grimwood's Featherston workmates Luke and Tim Johnson, who were also laid off soon after morning tea on Thursday from the worksite, which is owned by Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell and is the only site producing pre-stressed concrete slabs in the region. "It wasn't so much that they did it - even though we knew nothing about it - it was the way they did it. I mean I've only twice seen Garry Daniell in the nine years I've been there," Mr Grimwood said. "I know he's mayor and a very busy man but he couldn't even take ten minutes to tell us himself. Now that just stinks." Mr Grimwood said the past year has been very challenging for himself and his family and being laid off is a telling blow for them all. "Business has dropped a little recently but it's like that every year around August. I told the boss on Monday I was having the day off on Friday because it was Aaron's 18th birthday - so they dump us the day before. That really hurt. "And it's my birthday the day after. I suppose you can't better than that." Tim Johnson said he may struggle to find a replacement job although he and partner Daynah Churcher will rely on her part-time wages to make ends meet for themselves and their six-month old baby, Kade. Mr Grimwood is confident of finding work and will likewise rely on the earnings of his partner Anne-Marie as a stop-gap." Our biggest challenge will be finding $6000 for a headstone for Aaron's unveiling in November. "I don't know how we'll do it, but we will, no thanks to Wairarapa Concrete." According to the New Zealand Companies Office website, Wairarapa Concrete was first established in 1935. The present firm also employs five workers at a site in Masterton and Allan Jury, a listed director of the company, resigned from his position on July 28. Mr Daniell could not be reached for comment yesterday.
