Generous redundancy packagesFord's current agreement with the...

Generous redundancy packages
Ford's current agreement with the vehicle unions contains generous redundancy provisions, which are then boosted if the lay-offs are due to plant closures.

They include four weeks notice (including shift premiums where applicable); and four weeks per year of service (again, including shift premiums), capped at 90 weeks and excluding the notice period.

There is also a "closure payment" of one week per year of continuous service uncapped, excluding shift premiums.

Employees performing higher duties for six months at the time of separation are paid out at those higher rates, as are employees on a shift attracting a premium if they've been in the role for six months.

Long service is payable at pro rata rates after five years, while payment of annual leave owed includes leave loading.

Sick leave accrued since July 1995 is also paid out, capped at 125 days.

The agreement also provides for tax, financial planning, outplacement and job seeking services.

Employees are also entitled to reasonable time off work to attend job interviews.

Those who stay until the end also receive a pro rata payment of up to $1750.

http://www.tta.org.au/domino/TTA/tta.nsf/v-lu-all/NEWS~Ford+Australia+to+Close.?OpenDocument