It has just been suggested that these SPC workers are receiving around 58% above industry standard wages and conditions.

The answer is plain and simple. Give a little and save your jobs. Not only that, but the employees have the ability to save the firm that has provided them with their over the top conditions.

As I have said before, the unions have a lot to answer for when it comes to business viability in this country.

It's time to give up some of this over the top conditions they have gained. Way over the top it would seem.

Sorry, but I have no pity for selfish employees who can't see the forest for the trees.

Butch: "It has just been suggested that these SPC workers are receiving around 58% above industry standard wages and conditions..."

Suggested by whom? (a link will do)

Surely not this one:

LIBERAL MP Sharman Stone has accused Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey of "lying'' about the plight of SPC Ardmona.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/blaming-spcs-wages-and-conditions-for-troubles-a-lie-sharman-stone/story-fn59noo3-1226817307657

Cheap imported fresh and tinned fruit is the reason SPC cannot compete in the open market. Consumers are buying imported fruit because of the price and not supporting local producers. Our production costs are too high to compete; and we are supposed to become the international equal by reducing the cost of production.

ozdoc, no link, I heard it on the news last night. Please note, I did say SUGGESTED.

I have also heard that Tony Abbott has requested a copy of the workplace agreement.

It will be interesting to see what comes of that, because after all, if one sticks thier hand out, surely they should be transparent in their quest for assistance.

Now that's not a big ask, is it?

Josephus, in all my years of retail, the results of surveys generally show that while most people vote with their hearts when it comes to buying Australian, the reality is they shop with their wallets, which often results in the cheapest deal.

We are what we are, but one day, perhaps sooner than we think, the gravy train is going to run dry and most will then sit up and take notice, but it will be a case of too little too late.

Butcher,

Anyone can deceive by “suggestion” – just because someone (who you don’t name) suggests something, doesn’t make it so. It would help us all if you base your comments on fact (rather than unconfirmed hearsay or scuttlebutt) and back them up with a reference/link – that's not a big ask, is it?

You say:

“I have also heard that Tony Abbott has requested a copy of the workplace agreement. It will be interesting to see what comes of that, because after all, if one sticks their hand out, surely they should be transparent in their quest for assistance.”

Thing is Butcher, SPC-Ardmona were transparent (despite your assertion to the contrary). They provided a very detailed business case to the government in seeking assistance, as Industry Minister Macfarlane has acknowledged.

Indeed, even Finance Minister Mathias Cormann says this:

"The government did not make a decision based on false information … We had all of the information in front of us, including the information on the enterprise bargaining agreement.”

It’s not me calling Tony Abbott a liar – it’s Dr Sharman Stone (an economist), the Liberal MP for Murray.

Perhaps you (everybody here) should read it again:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/spc-ardmona-rejects-allowance-claims-as-sharman-stone-accuses-pm-of-lying/story-fn59noo3-1226817307657

I do agree when you say: “We are what we are, but one day, perhaps sooner than we think, the gravy train is going to run dry and most will then sit up and take notice, but it will be a case of too little too late.”

Australian manufacturing is in dire straits if they can't get a leg-up from a government who before the election said one thing but after, says and does the complete opposite.

ozdoc, nice try but you will have to try harder to discredit me.

I told you where i heard that statement, it was on the news. Channel ten I think.

Either way, it's not my view, rather it's that of the broadcaster, whom in their defense did say it was a suggestion.

At no time have I said it was fact, but you already knew that.

As for transparency, what the government is trying to protect is tax payers money, because god knows we have seen enough of that wasted by the previous government.

So if it is true and the employees are paid way over the odds, don't you think it may be wise for them to give a little when times are tough?

The alternative of cause is to stay put and not give an inch, which is fine, but don't then cry wolf when they loose their jobs because having the best wages and conditions around are pretty much useless when you don't have a job.