Car manufacturing workers are embarking on a national campaign to save their industry following new research that shows only 37% of Mitsubishi workers made redundant in 2005 have been able to secure permanent employment.
 
A meeting of AMWU delegates from the vehicle and auto components sector in Adelaide on Tuesday voted on a motion already endorsed by Victorian workers to initiate a campaign in manufacturing communities across Australian to re-invigorate the vehicle industry.
 
A joint union submission to the Bracks Review of the Australian Auto and Components Industry is calling for the federal government to back a new national plan including the preservation of 10% tariffs and more investment for green cars. The submission also calls for changes to government funding to require more responsibility for preserving Australian jobs from vehicle manufacturers.
 
AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver said new Flinders University research showed that the case of the Mitsubishi workers emphasised the need to preserve the vehicle industry jobs.
 
“71% of Mitsubishi workers made redundant from the Lonsdale plant in 2005 are earning less than they used to,” said Mr. Oliver.
 
“Only 37% have secured permanent jobs, and 20% remain stuck in casual employment, although that’s not their preference. The majority would like to be working full-time.
 
“Vehicle industry jobs are valuable, highly skilled and well-paid, but once lost are very difficult to regain.
 
“Climate change, the price of oil and the strength of the Australian dollar all mean the Australian car industry needs a national plan.
 
“Over a decade of neglect from the Howard Government has done a lot of damage but with the right federal government support there are huge opportunities for us to seize in green car manufacturing and other innovation.
 
“The Bracks Review is our chance to take Australia to the forefront of the next generation of vehicle manufacturing.”

Click here to see the AMWU's submission to the Bracks Review of the Auto and Components Industry