Workers protest against Simplot job cuts from Ulverstone factory

Protesters are picketing Simplot Australia over its decision to cut 12 jobs from its food processing plant in northern Tasmania. The mix of forced and voluntary redundancies at the potato processing plant in Ulverstone follow a restructure announced in August. Two years ago today the company axed more than 100 workers from its Bathurst facility and dozens of casual workers from its Devonport vegetable processing plant because of rising cost pressures and competition from cheap imported products. Simplot Australia Managing Director Terry O’Brien said the number of permanent staff at the Ulverstone plant was reduced after several improvements to the vegetable processing plant. More