THIRD SHIFT ADDS 400 JOBS at Holden
Anyone need a job? Maybe some FFs should apply and then they can secretly sabotage the Holdens! [/jkg]
From The Advertiser
CAR giant Holden has signed off on a third shift at Elizabeth – a move that will create hundreds of jobs before the Christmas break.
The company's executive director of manufacturing, Albert Lidauer, has met key car industry unions to begin the planning process leading to the long-awaited expansion.
"This is what we've been waiting for – it's just great for South Australia and the car industry nationally," the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary, John Camillo, said last night.
"Albert Lidauer gave us a full briefing on what Holden wanted to achieve," Mr Camillo said.
"The operation is very exciting, particularly as it will mean hundreds of new jobs in the northern suburbs where youth unemployment is sky-high."
Holden spokesman Jason Laird said: "What is under consideration could allow Holden to move to a whole different level as a global niche manufacturer.
"By the end of 2003 we will be producing more than 30 domestic and export models when big plants in the US are doing one or two.
"This is an enormous opportunity for Holden, our suppliers and for the South Australian economy.
"It's an extremely exciting project and we hope unions continue to support us.
"We are looking at every possible option to increase production and identify ways to increase flexibility for our employees.
"This might mean an elongated second shift, third shift or variations on existing arrangements.
"Discussions are underway with all relevant parties, including suppliers and unions to make Holden's dream a reality."
The night shift at the Elizabeth plant will create 300 to 400 jobs initially, growing to between 700 and 800 when expanded production is fully operational.
Combined with 1000 new jobs at Mitsubishi, which will be created to build two new cars in 2005 and 2006, Adelaide is rapidly becoming one of the world's most significant vehicle-manufacturing centres.
The employment and training phase is expected to begin before the Christmas shutdown in mid-December.
Hundreds more jobs throughout the components industry in South Australia and Victoria will be created as major suppliers are forced to expand production to meet new production demands from the plant.
Holden is planning to invest another $40 million to eliminate bottlenecks in the production process to keep pace with three-shift production.
Most of the new capital expenditure will be spent in the plastics division on new injection moulding plant and painting facilities.
Holden has reached its maximum capacity of 620 vehicles a day with two-shift production, weekend working and overtime.
The third shift has to be implemented to make possible delivery of 18,000 Monaros a year from late 2003 to the US, to grow imports to the Middle East and other overseas markets and the production of niche-market vehicles Holden has planned.
Holden wants to increase production to 750 vehicles a day by September next year.
Holden has hired special employment con******ts to interview each member of the 4500 Elizabeth workforce to collate input and minimise the disruption to workers' lives.
"It is likely to be a system of rotating shifts will be used to ensure that working nights impacts as little as possible on family life," Mr Camillo said. "Absenteeism is lower when workers are satisfied with working conditions.
"The committee will examine rotating shift patterns where workers will work five days on days, five days on the afternoon shift and five days on nights."
Under Holden's enterprise bargaining agreement, 66 per cent of the workforce has to agree to working conditions before a third shift can be introduced.
"This is why Holden has set up a working committee, to ensure a free flow of information to workers," he said.
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You know, somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note on the windscreen. It said, 'Parking Fine.'So that was nice.
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