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Now real battle begins for Holden | comment

If those negotiations stall Holden will likely shut shop by the end of 2016, not long after Ford.

Holden workers have courageously taken a hit to their own hip pockets to help the car giant survive for another 10 years. By voting yes to new wages and conditions they have set the scene for a showdown with General Motors and the Federal government.

Factory workers have helped Holden slash $15 million in production costs at Elizabeth -- in itself no mean feat -- with wage freezes that will see the income of 1700 workers slip behind the rate of economic growth.

Whoever leads Australia after the September 7 election needs to step up to the plate and find a way to work a deal with Holden. The car maker is eyeing an untapped portion of funds in the $3.3 billion Automotive Transformation Scheme.  But the Coalition has vowed to rip $500 million out of the package if it wins government. Here’s hoping, either way, there’s still enough money to get a new Holden deal over the line.

After two months of speculation and uncertainty sadly the wait is not quite over for Holden workers. They now have another torturous two months or so while we wait for an election -- and then a meeting between General Motors heavyweights and the Prime Minister of the day.

If those negotiations go well Holden will build two new cars from 2017 to 2022. If those negotiations stall Holden will likely shut shop by the end of 2016, not long after Ford.

Here’s hoping the government recognises the very personal sacrifices made by 1700 Holden factory workers -- and doesn’t let them down. You could see the emotional stress this whole episode has had on SA secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union John Camillo, the face of the debate over the past few months. He had to compose himself as he delivered the good news through moist eyes -- because he knows a new battle has just begun.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling