Fifteen workers at Calder Stewart’s precast concrete operation in Hornby are facing redundancy after the company put forward a proposal to close the site.

The proposal was tabled last week and comes just weeks after the Stewart family, who own Calder Stewart, were named on the 2026 NBR Rich List with an estimated fortune of $1.1 billion.

The family’s wealth was built through its industrial property development and investment business.

E tū said workers at the Hornby operation agreed to cuts last year in an effort to help keep the company competitive and protect jobs.

The union said the company cut workers’ tool allowances and long service leave entitlements, while also providing no wage increase. At the time, workers were told their pay was too high compared with competitors.

E tū delegate Finau Lamipeti, who has worked at Calder Stewart for 13 years, said workers felt let down by the proposal.

“I was shocked when we got the closure proposal and then a bit angry, because we saw in the news how much money Calder Stewart made and that they’re on the NZ rich list,” Lamipeti said.

“Last year we took a pay cut to help the company save money because they said we get paid too much and that’s why they weren’t getting any work.

“We did this for them and to keep our jobs. I’m worried if they close that I won’t find work. I have kids and grandkids to look after.

“I will miss my workmates. We are a family here and everyone is very upset and worried.”

E tū organiser Anna Huffstuttler said the timing was difficult for workers to accept.

“Our members took a pay cut last year to help this company through tough times. Now they’re facing the sack, weeks after the family who owns Calder Stewart was confirmed as worth over a billion dollars,” Huffstuttler said.

“Workers kept their side of the deal. We’ll be asking Calder Stewart to do right by the people who helped get them there.”

E tū is meeting with affected members this week and said it would put forward a proposal to Calder Stewart in response to the closure plan.