NSW: Union goes into bat for Batlow

AAP General News (Australia)
04-20-2000
NSW: Union goes into bat for Batlow

Batlow has been a staunch union town for years but as the town struggles to survive,
the union has gone in to bat for the people.

Workers at the local cannery in the tiny apple town on the New South Wales-Victorian
border have petitioned their union to help find ways of bringing business and life back
to the area.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the town, with a population of 950,
believes the future of Batlow is grim.

But after a community meeting today, the fate of products like Batlow apples and Mountain
Maid tinned foods is looking a little healthier.

The AMWU's food and confectionary state secretary JENNIFER DOWELL says about 120 people
from Batlow gathered with the union and local politicians to discuss ways to revitalise
the local economy.

She says there was unanimous agreement that townsfolk want to create a pilot program
and set up a taskforce to identify barriers and opportunities for growth, including issues
such as road, rail and telecommunications infrastructure.

AAP RTV nd/sb/msk/jn

KEYWORD: BATLOW (SYDNEY)

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