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3 September, 2001Over 4,300 workers at Australia's biggest carmaker call management's offer "an insult".
AUSTRALIA: For the second time in one month, some 4,300 workers at Australia's biggest car manufacturer, Holden, have taken strike action in support of their demands for a pay increase. Workers, who once again downed their tools on August 30 at the company's assembly plant in Elizabeth, have declared that management's offer during wage negotiations of 15.1 per cent for the coming three years is "an insult". The unions initially claimed 24 per cent and are ready to accept 20 per cent.
This is the first time in ten years that Holden workers have resorted to strike action in order to settle a dispute. A spokesperson for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union stated that Holden workers "believe they have made the company No. 1, they have made possible exports to the Middle East and elsewhere, and they have made the company big profits. Workers view the offer as an insult."
The company, an affiliate of General Motors, produces 580 cars a day. The strike has halted production of the Series II VX Commodore, which is Australia's biggest selling car, and the WH Stateman, which is exported to the Middle East with Chevrolet badging.
This is the first time in ten years that Holden workers have resorted to strike action in order to settle a dispute. A spokesperson for the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union stated that Holden workers "believe they have made the company No. 1, they have made possible exports to the Middle East and elsewhere, and they have made the company big profits. Workers view the offer as an insult."
The company, an affiliate of General Motors, produces 580 cars a day. The strike has halted production of the Series II VX Commodore, which is Australia's biggest selling car, and the WH Stateman, which is exported to the Middle East with Chevrolet badging.