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April 11th, 2013 
Peter Nolan
Updated
The union representing workers at Holden’s Elizabeth plant says about 300 of them have expressed interest in a voluntary redundancy package.
The carmaker is looking to cut 400 production staff with another 100 vehicle development positions to go in Victoria.
Workers have until August to accept the packages and the carmaker says it will consider forced redundancies.
A meeting between the Manufacturing Workers’ Union and Holden scheduled for tomorrow morning has been cancelled, with the carmaker to instead meet with the Premier to discuss a $50 million handout the Government committed last year.
Secretary John Camillo says the union has outlined its expectations to Holden and will not accept any forced redundancies.
Shop stewards have told Mr Camillo about 300 employees are interested in the payouts, but he expects some of those workers to reject the deal once they see the details.
“When they see the real figures in regards to what they get, quite a lot of those people will probably decide not to take the [Voluntary Separation Package],” he said.
“We don’t know whether they’ll be able to achieve the 400 voluntary separation packages. Our senior delegates are saying they will achieve that 400.
“My indication is probably around about 200, but we’ve made it quite clear to Holden’s there’ll be no forced redundancies.”
He says the union’s shop stewards say there is a high level of uncertainty on the factory floor.
“The clear message that’s coming through is that everbody’s worried about their job security. There’s a lot of people pretty emotional, pretty uptight with regards to their future,” he said.
“Have they got a job, are they going to be the one maybe forced out the gate?
“2000 workers going home every day and 2000 workers talking to their families and parents and all that about their future is a concern and that’s why we want to get this over and done with very, very quickly so these people can get on with their lives.”
Mr Camillo says union officials are monitoring the industry for flow on job losses.
Topics:
automotive,
unions,
sa,
adelaide-5000,
elizabeth-5112
First posted
Source Article from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-11/holden-workers-consider-redundancy-payouts/4623260
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