Ford engine ‘cutback’

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG’S Ford workers are “nervous” about their future after a new cutback in engine production, according to a representative.
Senior shop steward Brendan Sexton said the recent departure of Geelong’s Marin Burela as Ford Australia president and chief executive officer had also heightened anxieties at the North Geelong plant.
Mr Sexton said engine production had fallen from 240 to 190 a day amid rumours it could go as low as 60.
The company also had plans for a “floating workforce”, he said.
Workers had been told redundancy packages were no longer available after Ford offered hundreds two years ago.
“They’re concerned about their future,” Mr Sexton said.
“They’re concerned about all the product changes that are coming and what sort of effects that’s going to have on them,” Mr Sexton said.
“They’ll be a little bit nervous for maybe the next six to 12 months until they see what happens with all of the company’s decisions.”
Mr Sexton said some workers claimed to have been told privately that a cutback in engine production to 60 “wasn’t out of the question”.
“It’s only 190 engines at this stage but it could drop,” he said.
“We’re going to have some discussions with the company about their plans. Hopefully we can nut out exactly what is the process to deal with any issues that come up in the next couple of months as far as product changes go.”
Mr Sexton said growth in iron casting work at the plant could save excess labour in other departments.
Ford reassigned Mr Burela to China last month after two years in charge of Ford Australia operations. He started his career with the company at its North Shore casting plant 25 years ago.
Ford spokesperson Sinead McAlary confirmed engine production would fall to 190 in the new year.
The change of leadership would have no effect on Ford’s Geelong operations, she said.
“There is no basis for alarm bells. Ford Australia’s new president and chief executive Bob Graziano is excited about leading the Ford Australia team and is committed to growing the brand further.”
The Independent revealed last month that workers would be hundreds of dollars out of pocket in the lead-up to Christmas after Ford asked them to take off eight unpaid “down days”.