First Holden forced redundancies take effect

The first of an expected 90 forced redundancies have taken place at Holden, with 10 staff members leaving the Adelaide plant for the last time yesterday.

Their departure marked the first time in 29 years that the carmaker had forced workers out of their jobs, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union said.

Union representatives are expected to be on site at the Elizabeth factory in northern Adelaide from 10am today to assist members over the next couple of days. The 90 forced redundancies are part of a wider program of 270 job losses, the majority of which are voluntary.

The move comes as Holden prepares to reduce daily production from 290 vehicles to 240 from Monday.

Our priority is to make sure our employees are informed first

"When you build less cars you need less people and the rerate is effective from Monday," Holden spokesman Sean Poppitt said.

"As part of its scaling down of production, Holden will reduce employee numbers by 270 as it reduces its production rate.

"As we go through this difficult process, our priority is to make sure our employees are informed first.

"We appreciate the impact decisions like this have on employees and their families."

Mr Poppitt said Holden was committed to supporting staff through the "transition process".

The AMWU has previously said up to 90 workers would be forced out to make up for a shortfall of volunteers

"All our people have access to career counselling, training and job-search assistance," he said.

While Holden would not confirm the numbers of forced redundancies, the AMWU has previously said up to 90 workers would be forced out to make up for a shortfall of volunteers.