Locals Lose Jobs

JBS Australia’s Scone meatworks operation

AN EMPLOYEE of JBS Australia has told scone.com.au that the company announced layoffs at their Scone based operation today.

The employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, has said the afternoon shift on the slaughter floor and boning room has been cut, with only day shift to operate, with changes to take effect next Monday.

See updated story: Only 15 Local Jobs Lost

The employee was unaware of the exact number of staff to be laid off, but believed it may be more than 100.

They said JBS predicted a shortage of livestock for the next 12 to 18 months and had to scale down production to remain viable.

The employee said it was a shame because JBS had spent the better part of the last twelve months employing people, but now had to lay people off.

On January 18, the Australian Financial Review reported that JBS SA’s “shares have had a shocking six-months, down 35 per cent”, had a $15 billion debt and stated “one option may be to spin-off its local arm JBS Australia, which owns seven feedlots and 15 meat processing facilities across Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.”

scone.com.au also contacted the Meat Workers Union Newcastle and Northern Branch, but they could not be reached.