THE Government has given the world’s biggest meat producer a big incentive to re-open its King Island abattoir.
A high six-figure financial incentive has been offered to the company.
But Premier David Bartlett, visiting the island’s commercial centre of Currie yesterday, made it clear he had reservations about bailing out a global business with a higher revenue than the Tasmanian Government.
"This has been a David and Goliath battle and we have been the David," he said.
He also told cattle producers they needed to support the abattoir’s restart.
Mr Bartlett told workers they would be back on the slaughter floor by Wednesday and would continue to work until Swift Australia completed its eight-week review of the King Island operation.
But Swift’s Tasmanian manager John Berry said it might take a little longer to restart the plant and tee up the cattle it needed to process.
"The exact dollar figure of the assistance we are offering has not been worked out yet. But it is in the high six figures," Mr Bartlett said.
The deal was struck late on Thursday night after a marathon meeting between Swift and Treasurer Michael Aird.
The eight-week reprieve will keep $720,000 in wages on the island and perhaps give the 98 workers who were stood down without notice on Tuesday a reason to stay.
Most of those enjoying the Government’s hospitality at the local pub yesterday indicated they would stay.
Mr Bartlett’s announcement at the town hall was greeted by applause from meat workers.
He made no promises about the plant staying open long-term.
"I did not come here to bullshit you," he told the workers.
"Late last night we offered Swift an assistance package and a guarantee and got in-principle support to re-open the facility next week. Our intention is to fully re-open the works but there are many long hours of work to do until we can say we have achieved that."
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union official Grant Courtney told workers they had a small window of opportunity to prove to the company that it should stay.
