Press Release
Empire Rubber sale official, mass meeting today to discuss future of 120 workers
Wednesday May 30, 2007
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NUW Victorian State Secretary Antony Thow
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The National Union of workers will conduct a mass meeting with workers at Bendigo car components factory Empire Rubber at 2pm today (Wednesday May 30, 2007) to discuss the final sale of the business.
The sale of Empire Rubber to Indian-based company Motherson Sumi will go through on Friday (June 1, 2007), saving 140 jobs – 100 of them permanent – at the site.
While securing the long-term future of the site in Bendigo is a huge boost for the community, the sale does mean a further 120 workers will be made redundant from Empire Rubber today.
NUW State Secretary Antony Thow said it was disappointing so many jobs had to be lost, however, considering where the company was just 12 months ago, the fact Empire Rubber was still in business, was a huge achievement.
“We never like to see people made redundant, particularly of this magnitude,” Thow said. “However, 12 months ago, it looked like this whole business would be lost to the Bendigo economy and community.
“Through the hard work of the union and our members we have been able to revive this ailing business and keep 140 jobs in the local community and secure the bulk of the entitlements for those made redundant, and I think that is a great effort.
“We should never forget that 12 months ago there was no money in the bank and it looked like Empire Rubber would close, with no entitlements for anyone. The situation today, while not perfect, is certainly a much better result for the workers at Empire Rubber, the Bendigo region and the Australian manufacturing industry as a whole.”
With 120 workers to be made redundant today, Thow called on the Federal Government to ensure all were paid their GEERS entitlements without delay.
He said others who had been made redundant at the site had had to wait upwards of four months to see any of their entitlements from the Federal Government.
“While liquidators SIMS Partners are offering all those made redundant a $4000 loan – $1000 per week over four weeks – these workers will need an awful lot more support than that.
“Many are long-term employees and today’s announcement will have a significant impact on them and their families. A speedy payment of GEERS should provide them with the breathing space they need to determine their futures.
“The paperwork for the GEERS payments has been approved since the first group of workers was made redundant last year, so it should not take four months for these employees who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, to receive what they are legally entitled to.
“These families are under enough pressure and strain without the Government delaying this crucial payment and we call on them to show some compassion and ensure this money comes through as soon as possible.”
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Last modified 2008-12-10 11:42 AM
