More than eighty people attended a community forum on manufacturing jobs in Morphett Vale, South Australia last week in light of the recent job losses in the south of Adelaide.

The forum organised by the Kingston Your Rights at Work team and the AMWU, highlighted the need for better paid, secure jobs in the manufacturing industry and passed resolutions aimed at improving the situation for workers in the industry.

AMWU SA Secretary John Camillo said that many people were worried about job prospects in the South after the closure of so many plants.

“Local people have been affected and are concerned following the closure of the Lonsdale Engine Plant, the moth balling of the Port Stanvac Refinery and now the closure of the Mitsubishi Plant at Tonsley Park

“So it’s crucial to gain the support of, business, unions, all levels of government and the local community in fighting this challenge.

“The previous Federal Government had little or no plan for manufacturing and the Labor Government is committed to reviving the industry.”

The meeting was addressed by State member for Kaurna and Minister for the Southern Suburbs, John Hill, and SA Senator Annette Hurley.

AMWU member Ray Sara who worked at Mitsubishi in Tonsley Park said that manufacturing jobs are not only crucial to the economy of the South, but to the future of our kids and the future of Australia.

“The previous Federal government was only interested in farming and mining and cared little about manufacturing jobs.  It was very short sighted and we now have an opportunity to see some action in this area.”