The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) has applauded Holden for adding another 50 people to its workforce in Elizabeth, South Australia, when the second shift recommences at its plant in November.
“The new jobs at Holden will be on fixed-term contracts for the first 12 months, but it’s is a good start,” AMWU SA Secretary, John Camillo said.
"They'll have their annual leave, their long-service leave, their hourly rate.”
Camillo said the announcement of new jobs was a great sign for the auto-industry in general, after Holden's biggest parts supplier, Futuris Automotive, also announced the recommencement of the afternoon shift would create lead to an 60 extra positions at its Adelaide factory by Christmas.
The new jobs and return of the second shift is welcome news after workers had struggled through the downturn caused by the global financial crisis, AMWU says.
In April 2009, Holden was forced to cancel the afternoon shift and reduce production after the GFC led to falling car sales.
Instead of mass lay-offs, workers chose to work reduced hours to allow more people to keep their jobs until the economy picked up again.
A return to full-time work will be a great reward for the several hundred workers who stuck together and got through the downturn, according to AMWU.
"Shorter working hours and less money, meant an emotional rollercoaster for our members at Holden,” Camillo said.
“The return to the second shift and the new jobs at Holden and Futuris is a credit to the workers and the government’s auto industry strategy.”