By NOEL MURPHY
FORD Geelong workers are counting down the days as the company prepares to cut 120 more jobs from the auto plant next week.
Workers have been reluctant to take up voluntary redundancy packages in hope of better deals if they hold out until next Friday.
The company has gone to ground, failing to respond to calls for comment.
But Australian Manufacturing Works Union (AMWU) warned the sackings would aggravate Geelong’s understated unemployment problem.
“It’s very disappointing that there are redundancies,” AMWU vehicle division spokesman Dave Smith said.
“We know the plant’s closing in 2016 and people have started to make plans around being there until that date. News of the down balance is disappointing and worrying.
“It’s not a great climate to be going out into the jobs market because of all the closures and it’s of particular concern to the union that our members are able to find replacement work.”
Mr Smith said unemployment was “out of control” in Geelong.
“It’s hidden by the fact if you’re employed one hour a month you’re considered employed full-time and don’t show up.
“If you delve deeper into ABS figures they suggest unemployment is probably 12 per cent on average and some regions like Geelong are worse, particularly with youth unemployment.”
Workers at the North Geelong plant told the Independent many were resigned to involuntary redundancy.
“Most I’ve talked to pretty much accept their fate and quite a few are just bored with it,” one worker said.
“It’s been dragging on and on. Not too many appear upset – they’re hanging out for the compulsory redundancy for the extra cash.
“You’d have to have rocks in your head to volunteer now when a compulsory separation could mean up to an extra $15,000 on top of what they’re offering.”
