Kell & Rigby and job losses

Unions NSW 10 Feb 2012

Unions call for urgent jobs meeting to ensure working people don't bear the brunt of downturn

The loss of 500 jobs and the possible collapse of construction company Kell & Rigby is an alarming sign about jobs in NSW and requires the Premier's urgent attention, Unions NSW said today.

Kell and Rigby - one of NSW's oldest construction companies - announced yesterday that it was close to collapse, leading to 500 job losses.

It caps a difficult fortnight in which close to 1000 jobs have been lost in NSW, including 190 at Reckitt Benckiser, the manufacturer of Mortein and 200 jobs at Westpac.

"The Premier promised to create 100,000 jobs, but in the last fortnight, we've seen massive hits across building, finance and manufacturing, the three sectors that make up the engine room of the NSW economy," Unions NSW Secretary Mark Lennon said.

"In the first instance, we need the Premier to intervene to keep Kell & Rigby afloat. NSW simply can't afford to lose companies like Kell & Rigby that create employment for hundreds of people with families to support and mortgages to pay.

"We're also seeking an urgent meeting with the Premier to discuss the future of jobs in NSW.
"It's clear that NSW is suffering from being in the slow lane of the two-speed economy.
"Unions are on the frontline and are watching job losses across the economy. We have an important contribution to make to ensure there is jobs growth in NSW.
"We call on the Premier to sit down with working people to work on ways to grow the NSW economy."