WORKERS FALL VICTIM TO DISGRACEFUL CORPORATE BEHAVIOUR

5 February 2008

SA Unions says 1000 Mitsubishi workers have become the victim of disgraceful corporate behaviour, in the wake of the company's decision to close its Tonsley Park operations.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says local workers have been sacrificed for company profits and cheaper labour.

"Our hearts go out to each and every Mitsubishi worker, their families and also those people in allied industries whose jobs hang in the balance because of this appalling corporate behaviour."

"The workers gave their hearts and souls to this company.  They were efficient, their productivity  was exemplary and their commitment to the company and its product was indisputable.  Mitsubishi in its greed did not show the same loyalty to the workforce."

"Also, this dreadful outcome is partly a legacy of the previous Howard government's failure to create a national manufacturing plan, leaving working families at the mercy of market forces."

"We sympathise with all these workers and their families.  SA Unions, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and other allied unions are united in their support for working families in the south."

"But we recognise sympathy alone is not enough.  We will fight tooth and nail to secure a strong manufacturing base in South Australia, with a particular focus on the southern metropolitan area."

"We have a real commitment from the state government, backed up byt eh federal government for this state to maintain a strong manufacturing base.  The challenge now is to ensure that the industrial transformation that occurs in the south is future driven.  That means focusing on opportunities in emerging and growing areas such as high tech and alternative energy sectors."

"We can and will create a manufacturing base that is sustainable into the future and secures the livelihoods of our skilled workers in the south", Ms Giles says.