Foodstuffs has confirmed that it will close its Gilmours wholesalers in Henderson, Panmure and Rotorua, as well as its Toops wholesalers in New Plymouth and Napier, says FIRST Union general secretary, Robert Reid.

FIRST Union represents workers at each site.

“We’re disappointed with Foodstuffs’ decision,” says Reid.

“The decision comes after a spirited community campaign to save Toops Napier. Workers and business owners united in an effort to keep the store open, yet Foodstuffs ignored them.

“It seems that the ‘customer was not right’ in Napier and the company decided to keep with its closure plans.”

He adds that the union is working with Foodstuffs to ensure that all redundant workers receive redundancy pay, even if they do not have it specifically provided for in their employment agreement.

The board of Foodstuffs confirmed its decision last night. Workers were informed this morning. Closures of the wholesalers will take place from late July to late August.