We won’t leave: Ford workers from Geelong and Broadmeadows plants

12 years ago | Posted in: Business | 465 Views

FORD workers at the company’s Geelong and Broadmeadows plants are refusing to walk away from their jobs, with unions saying the company will have to force people to take redundancy packages.

Australian Manufacturing Workers acting national secretary Dave Smith said the company would not get enough volunteers to meet its target of 440 job cuts.

Mr Smith, of the union’s vehicle division, said workers were desperate to hang on to their jobs at Ford.

“People want to work for the company; these are not workers who are going to be labelled Ford’s unwanted. But unfortunately they (Ford) are just not selling enough cars at the moment,” he said.

“It’s highly unlikely they will get enough volunteers for redundancies. It doesn’t matter how much people get in their package, it’s never going to be adequate compensation for losing their jobs.”

Workers will vote on a new three-year nine per cent pay rise and details of their redundancy packages next week, with the deal expected to be approved.

Those who accept voluntary redundancy will get a minimum of 3.1 weeks per year of service in compensation, with the company allowed to up the offer to attract more workers to sign up.

Workers hit with forced redundancies will get four weeks’ per year of service, with an additional week per year bonus, capped at 90 weeks pay.

Discussions on the new pay agreement began before the US car giant announced the sweeping sackings last month, which will hit both head office roles and the factory floor.

Ford spokeswoman Sinead Phipps said workers will be offered voluntary redundancies first.

“Workers will be voting next week on what we believe is a reasonable outcome for both the employees and the company,” she said.

“If we don’t get the numbers (for voluntary redundancies) we will have to move to a compulsory program.”

 

 

 

ref: http://www.news.com.au

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