A decision by Toyota Australia to make 350 redundancies from its Altona plant “compulsory” has been slammed as unacceptable by the AMWU.

AMWU Vehicle Division Secretary Ian Jones told online publication Workforce Daily  on Tuesday that the company’s enforced redundancies went against the standard practice amongst major car companies.

"Toyota seems to have this view about compulsory redundancies which we are going to have to dissuade them from," he said.

"We haven't had compulsory redundancies in the car industry in this country for two decades (other than a planned closure). We're simply saying the enterprise agreement provides for voluntary, and it also provides for compulsory.

“You'd think voluntary would be the first step, and then compulsory would be a step you may move to if you don't get the requisite numbers under voluntary."

On Monday afternoon the company said the combination of a high Australian dollar and the slowing down of production was to blame for the cuts to employment. 

Despite the redundancy announcement, Mr Jones said the company had shown remarkable resilience in the face of the global financial crisis and the Japanese Tsunami.

“I think Toyota has a very good future in Australia. It manufactures a great product, it’s got the Hybrid here thanks to good government policy. It’s managing it’s way through difficult times.”

Mr Jones will now seek an urgent meeting with Toyota Australia chief executive Max Yasuda to push the case for a shift from compulsory to voluntary redundancies.