Venture Strike Paralyzes Ford of Australia

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

Venture supplies Ford of Australia with bumper bars, dashboard consoles, interior panels and door trims. Faced with Ford's production slowdown, Venture execs decided to trim 40 percent of its 500-person workforce. Its union said beauty mate, just pay us the AUS$25.5m in entitlements you owe us. News.com.au says Venture promised to meet its obligations. But the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union wasn't buying it and called a strike. Normally, FoMoCo Down Under uses Venture's bits and pieces to build 359 vehicles per day. Since last Thursday, nothing. Yesterday, Ford asked Australia's Industrial Relations Commission to force Venture employees back to work pending independent adjudication. No decision has been made; the strike continues. Ford production remains suspended at the cost of millions of dollars per day.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

More by Robert Farago

Comments
Join the conversation
 3 comments
  • Glenn126 Glenn126 on Aug 28, 2007

    Perfect chance for Dorf (sorry, Ford) to pull the plug on an uneconomic automobile manufacturing operation. At least, if they were honest, they'd show that the operations are probably losing money even WHEN building cars. (A vehicle market the size of New York City's in a nation the size of Canada?! How can that be feasible for GM, Ford, Toyota AND Mitsubishi? Maybe for two of them, but four?) Of course, their North American automotive operations are unprofitable, too....

  • Redbarchetta Redbarchetta on Aug 28, 2007

    I thought their operation down under was pulling in a decent profit, and the cars there are lightyears better then the ones they sell here. At least they look more fun on paper and have better looks.

  • Mikey Mikey on Aug 28, 2007

    A promise is a promise is a promise.The company made a deal,so write the checks and move on,or pay the price. Is not that complicated something like I promise to pay my car payment.If I renage they send I guy around with a tow truck.

Next