An Elster Metering employee says the closure of its Youngtown foundry did not come as a surprise.
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The manufacturing company confirmed on Tuesday that due to “the competitive nature of the business”, it would be shutting its doors on November 17.
Fitter Jason Wookey, who has worked for Elster Metering for the past six years, said the manufacturing industry was "generally unstable”.
“We all sort of had an idea, it was simply a matter of when,” Mr Wookey said.
“We had been uneasy for a while with work slowing down … work was slowly being outsourced to China … that’s what is killing [the industry], you can’t compete. There’s no backing of Australian companies.”
The 43-year-old is one of 28 full time staff, some who have been employed by the company for more than 40 years, who were told of their redundancy on Monday.
Despite the news, the father-of-two and sole income provider for his family said he was trying to stay focused on “just getting another job”.
“I went home [on Monday], told my wife and thought where do I go from here, I need to get my resume together … I’ve just got to get a job … I’ve got a mortgage to pay,” Mr Wookey said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union state secretary John Short said the union would help staff with finding new work, but he believed the government needed to do more.
“[The government] talks about jobs and growth, but there’s no jobs,” Mr Short said.
“I don’t think the state and federal governments are doing enough to secure manufacturing jobs … those jobs are important to our economy … you look at any successful country and you will find a strong manufacturing base.”
Bass Labor MHR Ross Hart said manufacturing was an integral part of the community.
“It's disappointing that this 70-year-old profitable business will no longer be providing a living for future generations. I understand workers will be compensated for the loss of their jobs, it's hardly any comfort for their future employment opportunities,” he said.
“Downstream processing of raw materials is an essential element to a modern economy.
“This government has shown no regard for manufacturing … when will this government take Australian industry seriously and stand up for manufacturing workers and their families?”
A state government spokesman said “the government was very concerned when any business closes”.
“It is vital that we continue to implement our northern economic stimulus package to create more job opportunities in the north of the state.”