Strike sullies launch

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
An industrial dispute is threatening Ford Australia production, according to a union leader.
The dispute flared the same day Ford, one of Geelong’s largest employers, launched its new diesel-powered Territory in Canberra and new figures showed slumping Falcon sales.
United Voice Victorian secretary Ben Bedford said Ford supplier PPG Industries inflamed a pay dispute when it hired 110 strike breakers.
The company was the sole supplier of primer and top coat paints to Ford, he said.
The paint had a shelf-life of one month but just-in-time delivery systems could leave manufacturers including Ford with a stock shortage.
Mr Redford said the “untrained strike-breakers” would be unable to keep up with demand, so stocks would diminish.
“I suspect it will cause serious ramifications and could even shut down manufacturers because they don’t keep huge stocks of paint. Companies might find other ways to plug the gap but our workers are digging in for a long fight.”
Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries figures released this week showed sales of large cars had slumped 20.2 per cent. Ford’s Falcon had fared worst, with 1719 sales compared to 2496 at the same time last year.
Mr Redford said PPG was attempting to hire casuals so it could cut wages as much as 43 per cent.
“PPG’s actions is threatening the jobs of thousands upon thousands of people in our car industry, which could be disrupted if the company cannot fill its orders without the expertise of its highly-skilled local workforce.
A Ford spokesperson said the company had no supply issues “at this time.”