Andrew Mathieson
Geelong Ford workers will lose thousands of dollars in wages as the company slashes production in the next few months, a union representative has told the Independent.
The “down days” follow Ford announcing last week it would axe up to 350 jobs at Geelong and Broadmeadows by November on top of a 600-staff cut by 2010.
Under the production cut, at least 80 per cent of the Geelong workforce will be stood down for two days a week next month. Ford told staff this week that the cuts were in response to flagging car sales.
Geelong senior shop steward Brendan Sexton said staff had expected to lose only one day a week in September.
He estimated each lost day would cost workers an average $95, with Ford paying half-wages for down days.
“September is now basically a three-day week,” he said.
“Ninety-five dollars might not sound much but, with eight of them next month and 18 of them in total, you’re looking at close to $1800 in the next two months that people will lose.”
Mr Sexton said Ford asked the union two years ago for greater flexibility in working hours to meet market demands.
Mr Sexton said workers were stressing about their immediate futures.
“This is going to be a struggle,” he said.
“People are scared and uncertain. They don’t know whether to stay or jump ship.
“The problem is that, if you think about jumping ship, nearly every day we wake up to find somebody else is axing jobs.”
Ford public affairs manager Sinead McAlary said the down days were essential to sustain the car giant.
The company planned to reduce production from 350 to 260 cars a day at Geelong and Broadmead-ows, she said.
“We’re trying to match production to market demand and the market is definitely slowing, so we’ve told employees we’re planning for a down balance in mid-November, which will cut our production rate by 20 to 25 per cent,” Ms McAlary said.