About 200 people in Dunedin are protesting against the closure of the city's Cadbury factory.
Protesters gather at the Octagon in Dunedin to urge Mondelez to retain the Cadbury factory. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
The factory's global owner, Mondelez, announced three weeks ago it was planning to close the central city plant at end of this year, cutting more than 360 jobs.
Protesters in Dunedin's Octagon are holding union banners and placards saying 'Save Cadbury, Save Jobs'.
A string of speakers at the protest criticised Mondelez this morning for closing a plant which they said was efficient and profitable.
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull told the crowd the closure was devastating and beyond belief because the factory had a highly efficient, top-performing workforce.
Mr Cull said the city had to stand by its workers and send a strong message to the multi-national company.
"Today is about showing solidarity and expressing to Mondelez just how much hurt has caused in and to our city", said Mr Cull.
Dunedin mayor Dave Cull spoke at the rally, saying the city had to stand by the factory's workers. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
"It is also about warning Mondelez they are wrong to underestimate and even devalue the contribution of this city to their success."
Mr Cull called on the company to come to the table and negotiate an alternative proposal to save at least part of the factory.
Labour's David Clark, MP for Dunedin North in which the factory sits, said Cadbury's closure was a big deal for the city because the factory was the biggest private-sector employer in his electorate.
Dr Clark said Mondelez owed it to its long-serving, loyal workforce to bring options to the table to save the jobs.
Labour MP for Dunedin South Clare Curran said she was angry about the closure and the way the workers were being treated by the company's owner.
She said the workers should know the city was standing behind them.
"Dunedin is with you. We are gutted for you and your families ... We will do everything in our powers to keep your jobs."
Then she addressed the company.
Protesters held union flags and voiced their opposition to the factore closure. Photo: RNZ / Ian Telfer
"To Mondelez: Be reasonable. Be mindful of the history of Cadbury in this city."
"We will work with you - otherwise we will fight you."
A Dunedin city councillor Rachel Elder, whose husband worked for Cadbury for 19 years, said she was opposed to the closure because the factory has been part of the fabric of the city for more than a century.
She said Cadbury's shareholders should take a more ethical stance, and realise consumers will be more likely to show loyalty to their products if they showed loyalty to the community that made them.
A member of the Save Cadbury Action Group, which is organising the rally, Donna Bouma, said the company owed it to their supporters to fight the closure tooth and nail.
"We're fighting for it, I mean we've got to put our best foot forward and try our best for the workers - and for Dunedin, I mean Cadbury is iconic in Dunedin - and that's why we've got to fight to try and retain it."
The rally started in Dunedin's Octagon at 11am.