Holden worker says time for government to act
Holden worker Damien Griffiths with his children Maddison, 6 months, Hayden, 6, and Kaitlyn, 10.
Holden worker Damien Griffiths says it is time for the Federal Government to back the company's long-term future at their Elizabeth production facility in Adelaide. "Employees have made the call to have a pay freeze and get rid of some of our entitlements," Mr Griffiths, 32, says. "Now we need the Government to come on board."
Mr Griffiths is sharing his story on the day of Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane's visit to the plant for crunch talks with Holden executives and state politicians.
Mr Griffiths has worked for Holden for 13 years and has never considered a future without the car maker. He built a home in Munno Para West about six years ago. "I built this place with the thought I'd stay there (at Holden) forever. I have no intention of moving (jobs). I have a family of five and a mortgage, and that's pretty much the story of all the people there."
Mr Griffiths says workers are proud to contribute to a company synonymous with Australia's manufacturing history. "Holden is a big name in Australia, not only in Elizabeth. It needs to stay around... it's an Australian icon."
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