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Issue No. 294 | 10 February 2006 |
Total Impact
Interview: Court's in Session Industrial: Whose Choices? Politics: Peter's Principles Environment: TINA or Greener? History: Its Not Just Handshakes and Aprons International: US Locks out Jose' Bove Education: No AWA - No Job Culture: Jesus was a Long-Grass Man Review: Charlie the Serf
Capital Punishment on the Menu Unfair Sackings Face Challenge Holden's Bad Deal for Adelaide STOP PRESS: Guest Worker Plan Goes to Water Taking a Punt on Melbourne Cup Newcastle Rails Against Contracts Free Enterprise Kills Hundreds
The Soapbox The Locker Room Parliament
Belated Merry Whatmas? The Grinch Who Stole Christmas I Think Therefore I Scam A Taxing Answer Leslie John Turner
Labor Council of NSW |
News Aussie Icon Moves to China
Vegemite manufacturer, Kraft, will sack 151 workers at its Broadmeadows plant in Victoria, moving the jobs to Asia. The workers are the latest victims of Howard government policy, which sees 1,178 manufacturing jobs disappear each week. The Broadmeadows plant has manufactured brands such as Captain's Table crackers, Premium crisp bread and In A Biskit for over 40 years.
"Thirty years on this job and now my job has gone to China," said one worker upon hearing the news. Kraft, owned by US-owned tobacco and food giant Altria, warned of an "ongoing company-wide review" of its Australian operations, including the Port Melbourne factory that makes Vegemite and peanut butter.
The AMWU has slammed the lack of consultation over the decision, calling for workers to be compensated.
"They told us they were taking the product to China," said AMWU organiser Tony Mavromatis. "Already 20,000 Victorian manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the last year alone.
"Who will be next?"
"The Federal Government has announced that WorkChoices will create jobs, but where are these jobs going to be?" The situation at the Kraft plant in Port Melbourne continues to be monitored. In the absence of Commonwealth action, unions, industry groups and state governments will form a policy this year in an attempt to stem the flow of manufacturing overseas.
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