Portland Aluminium has confirmed today that 11 voluntary redundancy packages have been offered to employees working in the operations area of the smelter. The announcement follows an extensive consultation process with employees and their representatives that commenced in early April, when Portland Aluminium announced a further restructure program involving all facets of the business to improve profitability and international competitiveness.
The restructuring program follows the range of productivity improvements Portland Aluminium has initiated and implemented since the global financial crisis hit in late 2008.
By July 2009 as a result of the global economic downturn, Portland Aluminium had curtailed approximately 15 percent of its production capability, and had initiated wide ranging measures to reduce controllable cost by the same, which it has not yet achieved.
Portland Aluminium Operations Manager John Osborne said the business has worked consultatively with employees and unions throughout the current restructuring program.
“The redundancies have been selected from expressions of interest received from members of the Australian Workers Union in June.”
Mr Osborne said the voluntary redundancies will take effect from August 27th but other restructuring activities will continue until the cost reduction targets are achieved. Portland Aluminium will continue to work consultatively, respectfully and professionally with all employees and their representatives on the changes.
“There’s been a great deal of work undertaken to reduce costs but there is still more work to be done. Our efforts to restructure and reduce costs are to ensure Portland Aluminium remains a sustainable business in the future.”
