12 November, 2010Australian metalworkers are blaming the high Australian dollar for a decision by the mining truck maker Caterpillar to shift manufacturing overseas.
AUSTRALIA: Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union and its members protested outside the gates of Caterpillar for nearly an hour on November 11, calling on management to redeploy them elsewhere in the company.
In total, 60 full-time Caterpillar employees and a further 40 labour hire workers have been told operations where Caterpillar currently assembles the big, yellow mining trucks at Tullamarine in Victoria will cease on December 15.
IMF affiliate AMWU's national secretary Dave Oliver said, "They've indicated they'll be importing the product they used to manufacture here from Mexico."
Caterpillar said in a statement that the type of work being done at the factory is changing.
"The company preaches about respecting family values. Well, where are they now?" said Dave Oliver.
The union is currently negotiating with the company to ensure workers receive full redundancy entitlements. AMWU is also demanding greater government action in support of the manufacturing industry and sustainable jobs.