The Veridian Glass factory in Geelong that supplies car windows for Toyota,will be bought out by MHG, a supplier of automotive plastics to Toyota.
Current owner CSR had wanted to close the facility and sell the land.
The accrued entitlements of all 100 skilled workers at the plant have been secured and will be paid out by CSR, with about 60 experienced workers to be picked up by MHG as new employees.
These workers will go on a new Union negotiated EBA that delivers pay and entitlements to industry standard.
CFMEU Forestry and Furnishing Products Division Assistant National Secretary Leo Skourdoumbis said today that the workers at the factory were ecstatic.
“For them it means security of employment in the midst of tough times.”
“For the car industry it means that the last automotive glass factory in Australia will stay in business, the skills and know-how will stay in Australia.”
“I want to pay particular tribute for this result to CFMEU official Mr Frank Vari. I can honestly say that without his relentless advocacy on behalf of ourmembers at Veridian we would not have got this result. I think all parties tothe negotiations would acknowledge that.”
“Equally both the State and Federal Industry Ministers and Toyota worked very, very hard to get this sale up and keep the factory open.”
“This outcome demonstrates the role and relevance of trade unions in recessionary times. Most players around this industry told us at variouspoints over the last few months that saving this plant would be impossible."
"It was a huge effort by a number of parties, but we did it.”
