Jobs lost: 85 at Waitotara meatworks take redundancy offer

Silver Fern Farms' Waitotara meatworks is moving to five-day rather than seven-day operation. Photo / File

The reduced numbers of lambs being farmed in the North Island has cut jobs at Silver Fern Farms' Waitotara meatworks, communications manager Justin Courtney says.

Since January the plant has been moving its operation from seven days a week to five days. Some of those who have lost their jobs had been working less than 25 hours a week - which wasn't ideal for them or for the full use of the plant.

Most of the workers are from Whanganui.

All of them were offered jobs in Silver Fern Farms' other 13 plants, because the company wanted to keep their skills and experience. Some took those options up.

There are also 85 who have taken voluntary redundancy, with some retiring and others going on their OE.

The remaining 200 staff at the Waiinu Beach Rd plant will work five days a week, with the option of overtime on Saturdays.

"This change will help the plant's efficiency and it has the benefit that it will lift the hours available for the 200 people who work on the five-day shift – giving them a more consistent 40-hour week and the opportunity for greater overtime," Courtney said.

The plant will still be able to process the peak volumes of sheep and goats available to it, he said.