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Job cuts: Holden to retrench more staff in bid to survive Job cuts: Holden to retrench more staff in bid to survive
(5 days later)
Car maker Holden is cutting more jobs as it continues restructuring its Australian operations in a bid to ensure a long-term future.Car maker Holden is cutting more jobs as it continues restructuring its Australian operations in a bid to ensure a long-term future.
The company said on Friday that it had taken the difficult decision to axe some of its salaried staff.The company said on Friday that it had taken the difficult decision to axe some of its salaried staff.
Holden hasn't revealed how many jobs will go but says all staff affected will be offered support, including career transition and financial counselling.Holden hasn't revealed how many jobs will go but says all staff affected will be offered support, including career transition and financial counselling.
"It is never easy to make changes like these but we have to take these steps to protect Holden's long-term future in Australia," the company said in a statement."It is never easy to make changes like these but we have to take these steps to protect Holden's long-term future in Australia," the company said in a statement.
The latest losses follow the axing of 400 workers from its assembly operations in Adelaide earlier this year, along with about 100 from its Melbourne operations.The latest losses follow the axing of 400 workers from its assembly operations in Adelaide earlier this year, along with about 100 from its Melbourne operations.
The remaining assembly staff also agreed to a revised wages and conditions deal to help the company cut costs.The remaining assembly staff also agreed to a revised wages and conditions deal to help the company cut costs.
The new redundancies are expected to centre on Melbourne, where Holden does most of its design and engineering work.The new redundancies are expected to centre on Melbourne, where Holden does most of its design and engineering work.
The company said it was doing all it could to ensure it continued to have a strong future as a design, engineering and manufacturing centre.The company said it was doing all it could to ensure it continued to have a strong future as a design, engineering and manufacturing centre.
"Australia is arguably the most open and competitive automotive market in the world," it said. "Staying nimble in such a competitive marketplace is an ongoing process that demands our continued attention."Australia is arguably the most open and competitive automotive market in the world," it said. "Staying nimble in such a competitive marketplace is an ongoing process that demands our continued attention.
"We have done some significant work in addressing the manufacturing side of our operations but must also work on the other areas of our business to be as efficient and effective as possible.""We have done some significant work in addressing the manufacturing side of our operations but must also work on the other areas of our business to be as efficient and effective as possible."
As the restructuring continues, Holden is also waiting to renew talks with the incoming Coalition government on financial assistance.As the restructuring continues, Holden is also waiting to renew talks with the incoming Coalition government on financial assistance.
The company negotiated a $275 million package with the former government in return for a commitment to build two new models in Australia from 2016.The company negotiated a $275 million package with the former government in return for a commitment to build two new models in Australia from 2016.
But that deal stalled heading towards the election, prompting Holden to put a final decision on its future in Australia on hold until after the poll.But that deal stalled heading towards the election, prompting Holden to put a final decision on its future in Australia on hold until after the poll.
While Labor appeared committed to providing more funds, the Coalition has so far held firm to its policy to cut $500 million from overall auto industry assistance.While Labor appeared committed to providing more funds, the Coalition has so far held firm to its policy to cut $500 million from overall auto industry assistance.
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