A Toowoomba refrigeration company that sacked 180 workers without notice on Sunday had been in administration for several days before telling employees.

AMWU QLD Secretary, Andrew Dettmer, said the company and its director had abandoned the workers and Toowoomba community through the decision to suddenly close the company.

“There were about 20 people who worked the night shift on Sunday, and then they were asked into the managing director’s office on Monday morning and told the company had gone into administration on 6 May – last Friday.

“There had been no discussion with any workplace representatives – that should be a common courtesy in this situation.”

Mr Dettmer said the AMWU had worked hard to keep Orford afloat.

“The frustrating thing is that our union has made numerous representations on behalf of Orford to government in a bid to ensure local industry assistance for regional companies,” he said.

AMWU officials joined around 40 Orford sacked workers at a meeting with the company’s directors on Tuesday.

Workers were given more information about the closure, however it remains unclear as to whether they will receive any of their entitlements.

AMWU delegate Paul Johansson said the news was bitterly disappointing.

“To be dropped like this is unfathomable. They wanted to keep their workforce toiling away, so they could make their last buck from us.

“In general, consultation hasn’t been too bad here. But this is a massive change. We had a right to know what was happening.”

He said workers would struggle to find employment in the Toowoomba region after the collapse of manufacturers KR and TMT in recent years.

“I might have to move to Brisbane. I’m a second year apprentice. I need to find another host employer. Where else are these people going to find work?

“This is a really sad thing for Toowoomba. This was a world-class Australian made product. It was sold nationally and internationally.”

The company, which commenced business as a soft drink maker in 1923 and moved into commercial refrigeration in 1962, blamed the high Australian dollar and cheaper foreign imports for its downfall.