Talks over Alcoa job losses

Date: 04 December 2009

The Australian Workers' Union Victorian Branch is angered by plans to cut 90 jobs at the Geelong Plant of Alcoa Australia Rolled Products.

Cesar Melhem Victorian Branch Secretary said Alcoa workers were casualties of the global financial crisis and that it was blow for workers to get the news three weeks before Christmas.

"We will be holding talks with the company as soon as possible. They have assured us that all entitlements will be paid and that the union will be kept informed. We will be making sure that the company will not force any redundancies and that all efforts are made to assist workers to find other jobs," said Mr Melhem.

Alcoa cuts due to ongoing global crisis

Alcoa plans to cut 150 jobs across the two operating locations - 90 of these will be at Point Henry in Geelong and remainder at Yennora in Western Sydney. The company makes aluminium food and beverage cans and bottle screw caps. The Sydney plant also operates an aluminium recycling facility. The decision does not affect the Victorian smelting and power station operations.

Company representatives met with workers on Thursday 3 December to notify them of the restructure which it says is required to manage the ongoing impacts of the global financial crisis, rising costs and high foreign exchange rates.

Lack of Emissions Trading Scheme likely to cause more job losses

"The lack of an Emissions Trading Scheme has contributed to this decision by Alcoa and I hope Tony Abbott can sleep at night, - his party's failure to pass the legislation this week is creating business uncertainty and instability at a time when companies are looking for the chance to develop new business opportunities in a low carbon economy," said Mr Melhem.

"Workers are once again paying the price for an economic crisis which they did not create and a political game playing over the emissions trading scheme which is likely to cause more job losses," he said.

• Alcoa to cut 90 jobs at Point Henry (Geelong Advertiser)
  

• Alcoa to axe 90 jobs from Point Henry (Geelong Advertiser)
  

• Worker predicts 'stampede' for Alcoa payouts (Geelong Advertiser)
  

• Alcoa cuts jobs in Geelong, Sydney (ABC)
  

Media comment

or

Amanda Tattam, 0413 997 467.

For further information

Contact:	Cesar Melhem
Union:	AWU Victoria Branch Secretary
Contact Mobile:	0418 597822
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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