A proposal to cut the jobs of 50 workers at a Christchurch based cable manufacturing company has been presented to workers on Tuesday.
The workers union for General Cable, E tu, says the cuts will not be confirmed until the end of the week, but he expects them to go ahead as planned.
E tu organiser Ross Heslop says the cuts don't come as a surprise -- but the number is higher than expected, as it represents just over a third of the 145 people currently employed.
"The company's done what it has to do and we can't see a way around it," says Mr Heslop.
He says General Cable will tell them it will stay in the New Zealand market.
He says this is a direct result of Australia's recession, and that other manufactures are also feeling the pinch.
"The Australian economy is having a huge impact on manufacturing in this country -- and not just manufacturing, also lots of other entities that are Australian owned.
"This is a flow-on effect from the Australian economy being in recession."
The timetable for the cuts is expected to be finalised by the end of the week, and are predicted to happen in stages between June and September.
Australia's branch of General Cable will suffer three job losses of a total of 30 employees.
Newshub.
