Holden Axeing 1400 Jobs

[RAREV8]

To all the Holden workforce- you have my condolences and full sympathy at this ty time. It must be devastating to you, especially if you had a passion for the brand.....I had to leave my favourite brand due to company changes and it leaves a bitter pill to swallow.

All the best to you guys,

A Ford driving Holden admirer.

[clampy]

im not having a go, but that makes me glad im in government... even if its local gov, which typically doesnt pay all that well..(well for me)

job security.. not htat i need it as i have no family etc to support..

but ya heart goes out to the folk that gotta look around for a job before the redundancy package/AL payout runs out..

[flavze]

Holden aint as bad off as people think or are making out, the majority of the 1400 people getting the sack were only employed on short term 6 or 12 month contracts to lift production until their current expansion is comleted. Holden have spent millions on new equipment to have a faster, more flexible production line that had a few teething problems when first put in. Don't expect holden to produce any less cars in the next year or so, they will make more if anything. The drop in production is just corportate spin doctor crap to cover the fact they just used a whole bunch of people for a short term with no intention of keeping them on longer, plus it's an opportunity to clean out a heap of dead beat losers from their work force an keep the best workers.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by flavze

Holden aint as bad off as people think or are making out, the majority of the 1400 people getting the sack were only employed on short term 6 or 12 month contracts to lift production until their current expansion is comleted. Holden have spent millions on new equipment to have a faster, more flexible production line that had a few teething problems when first put in. Don't expect holden to produce any less cars in the next year or so, they will make more if anything. The drop in production is just corportate spin doctor crap to cover the fact they just used a whole bunch of people for a short term with no intention of keeping them on longer, plus it's an opportunity to clean out a heap of dead beat losers from their work force an keep the best workers.

Err, maybe not? :

"changes to local and export projections for the coming years show that the company is oversized for the volume we need to produce. In response, vehicle production at Holden Vehicle Operations, Elizabeth will be gradually revised down from 800 cars a day to 620 a day next year.

Because of this change in volume requirements, the GM Holden Board yesterday made the incredibly hard decision to reduce our south australian operations by approximitely 1400 positions by mid-2006.

this means that the GM Holden worforce at Elizabeth will be reduced from 5700 to 4300 (a return to 2003 levels)

Given our forecast volumes, the third shift which we introduced in 2003 is no longer sustainable."

they're going to make 24% less cars, thats why.

[montyv8]

Originally Posted by flavze

the majority of the 1400 people getting the sack were only employed on short term 6 or 12 month contracts to lift production until their current expansion is comleted.

that is VERY incorrect. we have only 200 workers that are on contracts. everyone else is PERMANENT.

1400 PERMANENT staff are being removed, as well as the 200 people on contract...

[MADDER]

Originally Posted by montyv8

that is VERY incorrect. we have only 200 workers that are on contracts. everyone else is PERMANENT.

1400 PERMANENT staff are being removed, as well as the 200 people on contract...

As I expected the "official" figures never include contractors, they will always quote the lowest figure they can get away with. Just like recent layoffs at Holden HQ, passed off as minimal but actually the hundreds of contractors back out in the market don't get counted.

I like how Holden also said that recent supplier collapses affected them as well (can anyone spell ION). Holden is playing the victim here despite the fact there is a golden rule in Melb not to build your business around the car industry, esp. Holden, it'll all end in tears as they reserve the right to pull the rug out as they see fit. Also being an auto supplier will soon reveal any stability and management issues in a business. Likewise don't fall over yourself to please the the auto companies as they are more than happy to take all you can give and more.

: