MORE than 100 jobs are hanging on a knife-edge amid reports Woolworths executives are holding a three-day meeting with Wagga’s Masters staff this week to discuss the future of the failed hardware chain.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The future of the store has been plunged into uncertainty after a staff member told The Daily Advertiser that she fears the “crisis meeting” could spell disaster for dozens of families.
It comes after the supermarket heavyweight admitted it would not “continue to sustain ongoing losses” at Masters and would instead consider selling or closing the store.
The worker, who chose not to be identified, said many of her colleagues have been dreading their fate as the failed hardware chain continues to burn through the supermarket’s revenue.
Masters home improvement stores across the company have already racked up more than $700 million in losses since 2011.
A spokesperson for Woolworths shot down claims that any meetings were being held, instead hinting at the possibility the business would soon be sold.
“Woolworths is looking to exit the home improvement sector and we are unable to comment on the sale process that is currently in train,” the spokesperson said.
Wagga Business Chamber also voiced its concerns that a potential closure could wreak havoc on the entire community.
Chamber President Andrew Bell has pleaded with the corporation to consider the livelihoods of the people they employ, rather than the money alone.
"It would be nice to see them consider the people that they employ, who’ve built the business, rather than just the dollars,” he said.
“If you have 100 people out of work, that’s obviously going to be a huge negative impact for the town as a whole.
“That’s a lot of people with less to no income who aren’t spending money.”
It is currently unknown what impact the meeting will have on neighbouring stores Anaconda, PETstock and Pillow Talk.