AMWU METAL and TSA Division members from across the Auto Industry came together at a well attended meeting to discuss a range of urgent industrial issues.

High on the agenda at many plants was the contraction of jobs, issues around redundancies and upcoming EBA negotiations at several companies.

Overall production in the local car industry contracted by 26,000 cars in the past year and this has put Victorian jobs under extreme pressure.

Off-shoring to countries with low cost labour and casualisation were two common management responses to this pressure. Robert Bosch’s outsourcing to Hungary and India is the most high profile case of this - with 380 jobs set to go at the Clayton Plant.

Against this grim backdrop of the Auto sector the Acting Assistant Secretary Leigh Diehm (RED) was able to detail the success of the union in recruiting new members despite a 10% contraction in manufacturing industry jobs. Leigh was also able to share with members his experiences fighting for members’ rights in the face of company closures in other industry sectors.

‘The size and strength of the AMWU is going to be critical at every Auto Industry Workplace as we negotiate for workers’ rights, wages and jobs over the next 12 months.’ said Acting Assistant Secretary Leigh Diehm.

‘Despite the challenges facing the Auto Industry it’s a highly organised part of the AMWU with strong rank and file involvement. This unity and strength will be vital as we fight to keep the Auto Industry Alive in Victoria. It will be a tough fight but one we are all ready for.’

View and print the pdf from the meeting by clicking here.