Holden To Bring Back Second Shift, Return All Employees To Full Employment

by Alex Luft
Jun 28th, 2010

Holden is bringing back the second work shift at its Vehicle Operations facility in Elizabeth, South Australia. The second shift, which will go in effect on November 15, will return all employees on alternating working patterns back to full time employment.

“Our team was relieved to hear the news today. The last 18 months have been very tough for our industry, but bringing back a second shift and returning employees to full time work is an important step in rebuilding our manufacturing business,” said Holden Manufacturing Operations Executive Director Martyn Cray.

Holden went to a reduced single shift operation in April 2009 due to a severe reduction in demand caused by the global financial crisis. One of the main reasons for the demand decline – estimated to be nearly 50,000 units – is the discontinuation of the Pontiac brand in the United States (which – sadly – meant the end of the awesome G8 sport sedan).

Under the reduced shift pattern, employees alternated work, varying from one week on – one week off to one week off in twelve weeks.

The plant is currently manufacturing pilot vehicles for the new locally-built Holden Cruze (Chevrolet Cruze with Holden grille/badges) and is gearing up for the new Series II Commodore that will be launched “in the coming months,” according to Cray.

Holden plans on hiring a small number of employees to support the second shift in the near future, with the potential to increase employment in line with long-term plant activity.

SECOND SHIFT RETURNS AT HOLDEN VEHICLE OPERATIONS

2010-06-28

Second shift returns from November 2010

All Holden Vehicle Operations employees to return to full employment

Elizabeth plant readies for VE Series II Commodore and new Holden Cruze

Holden today announced to employees the return of a second shift at its Vehicle Operations in Elizabeth, South Australia on 15 November 2010.

Holden Manufacturing Operations Executive Director Martyn Cray said Holden was pleased to confirm the end of the temporary single shift arrangement.

“Our team was relieved to hear the news today. The last 18 months have been very tough for our industry, but bringing back a second shift and returning employees to full time work is an important step in rebuilding our manufacturing business,” he said.

“There is already a huge amount of work going on at the plant including equipment installation and the building of pilot vehicles for our new locally built Cruze. We are also gearing up for the new Series II Commodore which will be launched in the coming months.”

Holden introduced the single shift in April last year to protect jobs during the global financial crisis which saw a reduction in demand for Holden export volume by around 50,000 units. Under the reduced shift pattern employees would alternate work – ranging from one week on, one week off, to one week off in twelve.

“We also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their contribution, flexibility and commitment to Holden during this challenging time. Support from everyone, including the Unions, our suppliers and the Federal and South Australian Governments has allowed us to rebuild the business and be sustainable for the long term,” Mr Cray said.

The second shift will return all employees who remain on alternating working patterns back to full time employment in November. Holden also anticipates hiring a small number of employees to support the second shift in the short term with the potential to increase employment further when demand significantly increases in the longer term.