Around 400 jobs, most from Geelong, are set to be lost at car manufacturing giant Ford.
Most of the roles to be cut are in product development and design, with a small number in other areas.
About 1800 people work for the company in Australia, meaning more than one in five are set to lose their jobs.
Most impacted staff work in the Geelong area, according to MWU Vehicle Industry Coordinator Vince Pepi.
He said voluntary redundancies would take effect in September, and union members could access support to help them with the transition.
“Ford’s announcement of job losses within the company is disheartening news,” he said.
“However, we want to emphasise that these redundancies are voluntary and will not take effect until September this year.
“Currently, we estimate that around 400 jobs will be affected, with approximately 350 of those being white-collar workers and 50 to 45 being blue-collar workers. Unfortunately, most of the job losses will affect workers in the Geelong area.
“As part of our commitment to supporting our members during this challenging time, AMWU members are entitled to a redundancy outplacement program, along with a payment of 4.1 per week of service and $500 for financial advice.
“We understand that this news will be difficult for many workers and their families, and we want to ensure they have all the resources they need. If any members require additional support, they can always reach out to their organiser or the branch.
“We will continue to work closely with our members and their Ford management as the situation progresses.”
G21 – Geelong Region Alliance CEO Giulia Baggio told ABC News on Thursday morning that the job losses will have a “devastating impact” and was a “very, very difficult thing to swallow”.
“Hopefully, these workers will be able to pick up new jobs in advanced manufacturing businesses,” she said.
“Those businesses are proliferating across the Geelong region. It is the advanced manufacturing capital of Australia, essentially. So we’d be hopeful that there could be a reasonable transition for these people.”
Victorian Jobs and Manufacturing Minister Ben Carroll said the state government will support Geelong’s Ford workers.
“It’s always difficult when anyone loses a job – it can be one or it could be 10 or it could be 50,” he said.
“It’s always felt very hard by those families in those communities.
“I have every confidence that we’ll find solutions for these workers and be able to do tailor-made solutions to support them going forward.”
“We have begun consultation with our employees and unions on our intention to offer a separation program for approximately 400 of our 1800 employees in Australia,” a Ford Australia spokesperson said.
“The majority of these will be in product development and design, with a small number in other functions.
“The changes are part of Ford’s global drive to improve efficiency and transform its operations to meet future needs. Australia will continue to be the centre of development for the Ranger and Everest globally.”
– with Jena Carr, Matt Hewson and AAP
