DAIR to retain workers

By CASEY NEILL
A BAILOUT deal from Holden and Ford has saved about 140 jobs at Dandenong South’s DAIR Industries.
Workers returned to the factory yesterday (Wednesday) following a week of uncertainty.
On 1 November parent company Autodom announced it would close its facilities for “an indefinite period” as it continued to seek financial support from its customers – including Ford and Holden – to restructure.
Autodom Limited CEO Calvin Stead said a drop in local car production had hurt the company and several months of failed negotiations had forced it to act.
On 4 November voluntary administrators Macks Advisory took control of Autodom, examined its financial position and started talks with automotive industry and union representatives.
On 6 November receivers McGrathNicol moved in, and will now try to sell the business, perhaps in smaller parts.
DAIR Industries makes rear bumper assemblies, foot brakes, clutch mechanisms, hood hinges and parking brakes.
Holden and Ford faced shutdowns if the factory was not back in production by Wednesday morning, so they agreed to take on Autodom’s estimated $6.5 million debt.
Manufacturing Minister Richard Dalla-Riva said this shutdown came less than three months after “reckless and disruptive industrial action” brought production at DAIR Dandenong South to a halt.
He said the situation was a reminder to trade unions and the Federal Government that all industrial action had consequences.
“During that dispute, the company was pressured by the unions and the Federal Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten to negotiate a more generous agreement with the striking workers,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
“Today (1 November) a company facing ongoing financial difficulties has closed its manufacturing operations, and stood down its workforce.
“Again, there is a potential risk of severe disruption to the wider automotive industry.”