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Workers demand 18pc pay rise from Holden
By Motoring Editor MIKE DUFFY
feb04
HOLDEN'S 9000-strong workforce in South Australia and Victoria will demand an 18 per cent wage rise as the centrepiece of their new three-year enterprise bargaining agreement.
Strike action is part of an aggressive strategy being demanded by shop stewards at the car giant's vehicle assembly complex at Elizabeth and the new $400 million V6 engine plant at Port Melbourne for what they consider a fairer deal for workers.
The hard line will put the Holden workforce on a collision course with the Federal Government's industrial relations policy which is designed to crush disruptive unions.
Revelation of the tough stance to be taken by members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union comes on the eve of a planned announcement in Melbourne tonight by Holden's new chairman and managing director Denny Mooney on production, domestic sales and export targets for 2004 and beyond.
The car maker will announce it is aiming to regain the No. 1 position, lost to Toyota last year, following two years as the nation's most successful car maker/importer.
Many senior car workers at Holden already earn between $80,000 and $100,000 with overtime and additional weekend shifts. But workers will point to the record 153,000 vehicles produced at Elizabeth last year and the rich pickings from 36,000 cars sold overseas to support their claim for 6 per cent pay increases in each year of the agreement.
One shop steward at Elizabeth, who did not wish to be named, said: "We have delivered productivity gains.
"We have agreed to flexible shift patterns and programmed days off and we have achieved build quality equal to any mass production plant in the world.
"Holden has made a killing from domestic sales and growing exports and we expect some of the proceeds. And in case Holden thinks we are not fair dinkum, it should look back on the EBA negotiations three years ago."
The company's IR personnel had assured top management an agreement was a formality ? only to face a shock two-day strike.
The company increased its offer and eventually signed off on a 16.7 per cent wage rise over three years.
"Our members have seen Holden reap massive profits from their enterprise and efforts on the shop floor, and they rightly expect fair working conditions and a realistic pay structure," AMWU state secretary John Camillo said.
Article Here
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By Motoring Editor MIKE DUFFY
feb04
HOLDEN'S 9000-strong workforce in South Australia and Victoria will demand an 18 per cent wage rise as the centrepiece of their new three-year enterprise bargaining agreement.
Strike action is part of an aggressive strategy being demanded by shop stewards at the car giant's vehicle assembly complex at Elizabeth and the new $400 million V6 engine plant at Port Melbourne for what they consider a fairer deal for workers.
The hard line will put the Holden workforce on a collision course with the Federal Government's industrial relations policy which is designed to crush disruptive unions.
Revelation of the tough stance to be taken by members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union comes on the eve of a planned announcement in Melbourne tonight by Holden's new chairman and managing director Denny Mooney on production, domestic sales and export targets for 2004 and beyond.
The car maker will announce it is aiming to regain the No. 1 position, lost to Toyota last year, following two years as the nation's most successful car maker/importer.
Many senior car workers at Holden already earn between $80,000 and $100,000 with overtime and additional weekend shifts. But workers will point to the record 153,000 vehicles produced at Elizabeth last year and the rich pickings from 36,000 cars sold overseas to support their claim for 6 per cent pay increases in each year of the agreement.
One shop steward at Elizabeth, who did not wish to be named, said: "We have delivered productivity gains.
"We have agreed to flexible shift patterns and programmed days off and we have achieved build quality equal to any mass production plant in the world.
"Holden has made a killing from domestic sales and growing exports and we expect some of the proceeds. And in case Holden thinks we are not fair dinkum, it should look back on the EBA negotiations three years ago."
The company's IR personnel had assured top management an agreement was a formality ? only to face a shock two-day strike.
The company increased its offer and eventually signed off on a 16.7 per cent wage rise over three years.
"Our members have seen Holden reap massive profits from their enterprise and efforts on the shop floor, and they rightly expect fair working conditions and a realistic pay structure," AMWU state secretary John Camillo said.
Article Here
