'Disheartening' redundancies were voluntary, says union
Ford Australia will lay off 400 employees in September as the automaker seeks to "improve efficiency," according to reports.
"The changes are part of Ford's global drive to improve efficiency and transform its operations to meet future needs," the automaker said in a statement quoted by ABC News.
The majority of the job cuts will affect employees in product development and design, with a small number in other functions, the automaker added.
'Disheartening news'
The latest round of job cuts may affect employees in the Geelong area, according to the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU). AWMU vehicle industry coordinator Vince Pepi told ABC News that approximately 350 of the affected employees are white-collar workers, while 45 to 50 will come from the automaker's blue-collar staff.
Pepi said the redundancies were voluntary, but noted it was still "disheartening news," according to the reports.
"As part of our commitment to supporting our members during this challenging time, AMWU members are entitled to an enhanced voluntary redundancy package along with support to an outplacement program," Pepi said as quoted by ABC News.
The union will also continue working closely with its members and the Ford management as the situation develops, he added.
Ford also said that it is already working with the union and the impacted staff, who will be offered a "separation package," according to the ABC report.
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The layoffs came as the automaker announced in February that it would slash 3,800 jobs the next three years in Europe, CNBC reported. For has around 34,000 people employed in Europe.
"These are difficult decisions, not taken lightly. We recognize the uncertainty it creates for our team, and I assure them we will be offering them our full support in the months ahead," said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e in Europe, as quoted by CNBC.