Workers at the Sara Lee factory in Lisarow on the NSW central coast are experiencing "fear and anxiety" after the company was placed into voluntary administration on October 19. Claims have also emerged from the United Workers Union that it was not consulted of the company's plans. The factory that produces Sara Lee's frozen and baked treats for Australia has been located in Lisarow on the outskirts of Gosford on NSW's central coast since 1971. It employs around 200 staff. A Sara Lee employee said the factory was staffed with "many workers" who had devoted their careers to the company and "don't have the skills for other work". "News of the company going into administration has caused fear and anxiety, particularly because the cost-of-living pressures are so acute," the employee said. "Sara Lee has trimmed the workforce back so much to save money but it has not worked," the worker said, who chose to remain anonymous. "Members just want a guarantee they will be paid their entitlement and be trained for other work to secure their future." United Workers Union's Mel Gatfield said "these are workers who live in a relatively small community and have relied on work at Sara Lee for many years". "Despite the years they have given the company, they were not consulted before [the] news." "United Workers Union is disappointed that the company failed to consult with their workers and with the union in line with their legal requirements," she said. The union plans to meet with Sara Lee CEO Mark Mackaness on October 23 to discuss the future of the company. A spokesperson from the Central Coast Council said it was "shocked" of news of the voluntary administration. "The company has been a long term fixture as an employer on the coast, and generations of locals have worked there." IN OTHER NEWS: The council said it was hopeful a buyer could be found "to take the production facility and the brand forward for future generations". "The food and beverage industry is an important plank in the economy of our region," the spokesperson said. "Sara Lee was one of the first food producers on the coast and is still part of very strong food and beverage production ecosystem which includes Mars and Sanitarium, and many others large and small." FTI Consulting's Vaughan Strawbridge, Kathryn Evans and Joseph Hansell were appointed to manage the voluntary administration. "We are immediately commencing a process to sell or restructure the business and continue its long history of manufacturing in Australia," Mr Strawbridge said. "We are working with Sara Lee's management team and staff to continue operations while we secure the future of the business," he said.
