The period for expressions of interest for voluntary redundancy at Summit Wool Spinners has been extended until today.
When contacted yesterday, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union lead organiser John Gardner said there had been a "reasonable" amount of interest shown. Expressions of interest were to have been made by 10.30am yesterday but the deadline had been extended to give people more time.
A resource centre has been set up at the Oamaru factory to co-ordinate a range of company and government support services as workers face an uncertain future.
On Monday, Summit management said early indications were up to 80 people could be made redundant as the company worked through the consultation process with its 315 employees, after earlier announcing a substantial downturn in orders.
Counselling is being offered to all employees, while budgeting advice and assistance with preparing CVs, obtaining references and dealing with banks will also be available. The Government's nine-day fortnight was one of the proposals being discussed.
Mr Gardner hoped the Government was flexible enough to include Summit in its nine-day fortnight scheme, saying the scheme was tailor-made for people who worked 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday. At Summit, staff worked four days on, four days off.
