More jobs cuts expected in Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter

Thirty more jobs are in the firing line at the Tiwai Pt aluminium smelter.

New Zealand Aluminium Smelters yesterday proposed to axe more than 30 maintenance jobs at the smelter.

The cuts are part of the company's plan to streamline its operations to help return the smelter to viability in the face of challenging market conditions.

Last year, New Zealand Aluminium Smelters told The Southland Times that it planned to review its maintenance services this year to reduce costs.

Acting general manager Stew Hamilton said the proposal to cut 31 maintenance jobs would save the company millions of dollars a year.

"Unfavourable conditions in the global aluminium markets have made it vital that the smelter further reduce costs. Aluminium prices remain very low and we are continuing to work with employees, contractors and suppliers to identify efficiencies and cost savings to improve the smelter's viability," he said.

Affected employees would be redeployed to other roles where possible, Mr Hamilton said.

There are 42 vacant roles at the smelter that could potentially be used as redeployment options. The roles were varied and included some maintenance trade jobs, he said.

The vacancies were a result of natural attrition as the smelter had not recruited workers for most of the year, he said.

The company was in the consultation process with employees and there was no talk of redundancies at this stage.

A decision was expected to made on the proposed restructure next month, he said.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Southland organiser Trevor Hobbs said he was aware of the proposal but would not comment further before knowing the details.