Volvo cuts 130 jobs at Brisbane factory

One-hundred-and-thirty workers at the Brisbane factory of Volvo Commercial Vehicles Australia have been told they will lose their jobs the week before Christmas.

Staff at the factory in Wacol in Brisbane's south-west were given notice today they will not be needed after December 16.

Ninety permanent staff and 40 contractors will be made redundant.

The company, which makes Volvo and Mack trucks, says a general decline in demand has been accelerated by the recent global economic downturn.

Spokesman Mark Hughes says there has also been a gradual fall in the number of people buying trucks.

"This is a measured response to reduced customer demand in Australia," he said.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union says the timing of the lay-offs is terrible.

The union also says truck manufacturers were not eligible for any help under the recent federal assistance package for the car manufacturing industry.

Crisis talks are to be held between the company and the union.

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Wed 19th November 2008 - 08:24pm