More than 2500 of Australia’s last remaining car manufacturing workers will lose their jobs this year, after Toyota announced it will shut down its Altona operations on October 3.
The car maker’s engine and manufacturing staff were summoned to a meeting at 4.15pm on Tuesday.
Toyota launches the its new Camry at the Altona factory, the last car to be made in Australia.
The company released a statement at 5pm, saying the closure of the Altona plant and the consolidation of its corporate offices would see the number of employees fall from 3900 to about 1300.
Toyota announced in 2014 that it would no longer make cars in Melbourne beyond 2017 so production-line staff had been expecting the announcement.
Jason Saunders, 45, has worked at the factory for 16 years.
“I thought I was either going to retire or die here,” he said.
“It’s a good quality job, and yeah you’ve got to work hard for it, but it’s good money too, and I’m not going to get this sort of money anywhere else.”
Although he knew the closure announcement was coming, Mr Saunders had been hoping that it would not be until December.
“We were hoping it would stay until then … but what are you going to do,” he said.
Mr Saunders said he and his colleagues were left with mixed emotions following Tuesday’s announcement.
“Everyone’s been wondering ‘when, when, when’, so there’s a bit of relief and people can start planning a bit more about what they’re going to do next.
“I’m doing some training at the moment. There’s no point looking for another job in this industry, so I have to change fields, and I’m looking at hospitality.”
Other blue-collar workers leaving the plant on Tuesday evening said it was “good to finally have a date”.
“So it’s a positive in that respect,” one said.
“It gives us some certainty. A few of us have got some good plans set up for what’s next.”
The company plans to make 61,000 more cars at Altona before it shuts shop, including 26,600 vehicles for the domestic market and 34,400 vehicles for the export market.
The plant will stop building Aurion vehicles in August, Camry hybrid vehicles in September and Camry petrol vehicles in October.
Toyota Australia president Dave Buttner said the company would support employees throughout the transition period and beyond.
“Our priority over the remaining months is to continue to support our employees in every way possible so that they are well prepared for the future,” Mr Buttner said.
“We remain extremely proud of our rich manufacturing history which spans over 50 years. Our employees are committed to producing vehicles of the highest quality.”
The head office will remain in Port Melbourne, with all corporate functions to move from Sydney to Melbourne by January 1, 2018.
The Altona factory will be used as a training centre.
Union officials on Tuesday said Toyota workers now faced an uncertain future, and blasted the federal Coalition for “daring” car makers in 2013 to withdraw from Australia.
“Workers in the vehicle industry will never forget the day that [former treasurer] Joe Hockey challenged the car industry to go offshore,” Australian Manufacturing Workers Union’s Dave Smith said.
“Joe Hockey might be gone, but Malcolm Turnbull has continued his legacy of deserting vehicle workers.
“It’s time for Turnbull to deliver on his ‘jobs and growth’ mantra and tell us his plan to transition these workers into skilled jobs.”
At the time of the 2014 announcement, Toyota Australia’s chairman Max Yasuda said the company had done everything it could to transform its business.
“But the reality is that there are too many factors beyond our control that make it unviable to build cars in Australia,” Mr Yasuda said.
Toyota was the last local car maker to announce its exit from manufacturing in Australia.
Ford – the country’s first major car marker – shut down its factories in Melbourne and Geelong in October 2016, leaving 600 workers unemployed.
TOYOTA’S FULL STATEMENT
Toyota Australia has today announced that Tuesday 3 October 2017 will be its final day of vehicle production at its Altona manufacturing plant.
As part of the shutdown process, the plant will stop building Aurion vehicles in August, Camry Hybrid vehicles in September and Camry Petrol vehicles in October.
The company will continue operating both AM and PM shifts until the final closure date. This will ensure the total volume production of 61,000 vehicles for the year, made up of 26,600 domestic and 34,400 exports, is met.
Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner reinforced the company’s commitment to supporting employees throughout the transition period and beyond.
“Our priority over the remaining months is to continue to support our employees in every way possible so that they are well prepared for the future,” Mr Buttner said.
“We remain extremely proud of our rich manufacturing history which spans over 50 years. Our employees are committed to producing vehicles of the highest quality as we work towards our goal of ‘last car = best global car’.”
As part of Toyota Australia’s transition to a national sales and distribution company, the consolidation of all corporate functions from Sydney to Melbourne will take effect by 1 January 2018.
As a result of this consolidation and closure of manufacturing, the number of employees will reduce from 3900 people to approximately 1300.
The head office will continue to be based in Port Melbourne and most of the Altona manufacturing site will be retained for new and relocated functions.
- This article originally appeared on theage.com.au by Nick Toscano & Marissa Calligeros
