HEINZ is set to close its Wagga factory on Wednesday with the loss of 50 jobs.
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Workers were handed their notices on Tuesday and will stop production Wednesday afternoon - eight days out from Christmas.
It brings to a close more than 30 years of the iconic American company producing canned food in Wagga.
While redundancies had been foreshadowed earlier this month, workers were hopeful the company would retain a small workforce at the Bomen plant.
"This is what happens when companies put process and profits before people."
- Michael McCormack
It is possible successful negotiations with the neighbouring Teys plant changed the mindset of management, prompting a decision to leave the city altogether.
Member for Riverina Michael McCormack was furious with Heinz Australia and the brashness with which it handled the closure.
Mr McCormack was still in the dark about the closure late Tuesday afternoon.
He had earlier phoned the company to inquire, but calls were not returned.
"This is what happens when companies put process and profits before people," he said.
"It's unfortunate. They have had a presence in Wagga for a number of years and the work that they have done has been a valuable part of our city."
Teys Australia director Tom Maguire confirmed the abattoir was close to making a full agreement with Heinz to buy the factory.
A preliminary agreement has already been reached.
Bound to be good news for some, Mr Maguire said Teys would make offers of employment to Heinz workers after the factory changed hands.
A decision on the takeover is expected to be made in the first quarter of next year.
Mr Maguire would not confirm how many Heinz employees would be retained.
"It's too early to know," he said.
"We did meet with their staff and told them to leave their name and number. Those that are thinking of staying should talk to us."
Due to commercial in-confidence, Teys would not disclose the amount of money it would pay for the factory.
Mr Maguire could only confirm that Teys would make products for Heinz and sell it back.
Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union organiser Mark Perkins said the company had told workers that it would meet its obligations regarding redundancy packages.
Mr Perkins said workers would receive a sum of money based on their years of service, adding that it was a "bloody terrible" time of year for the company to shed staff.
Heinz Australia refused to comment for this story.
