Manufacturing News

Holden workers accept redundancy package

Holden workers have accepted a redundancy package but the union representing them fears they may lose their jobs before the planned 2017 exit date.

The Australian reports that union members voted to accept a final workplace agreement and it was lodged with the Fair Work Commission last week.

Under the agreement, when they lose their jobs the workers will receive four weeks’ pay for every year of service plus four week’s severance pay in compensation for forced redundancy.

On average, Holden production workers have been with the company for 16 years. Therefore, the average non-trade production worker will get $85,000 and the average skilled trades worker will get up to $105,000.

This applies to employees from Adelaide and Melbourne and the payments will be uncapped.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union South Australian secretary John Camillo said workers are worried Holden may not stick around until 2017. The company gave no assurance that it would do so.

Meanwhile, News.com.au reports that Australian Mark Bernhard is tipped to be named the next boss of Holden.

He is likely to fill the position left vacant by Gerry Dorizas who resigned unexpectedly in October, after just over six months as chairman and managing director of Holden in Australia and New Zealand.

Bernhard, formerly a chief financial officer at Holden, is currently vice-president and chief financial officer for Shanghai General Motors in China. He has worked there for the past two years.

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