Workers who took a 40% wage cut at Holden during the GFC are set to vote on an improved collective agreement this month.

The proposed agreement has been reached without industrial action and will include a wage package of between 18.3% and 22.2% over three years.

It provides a 3% fixed wage rise per year and bonus payments of  $1750 and $1000 in recognition of the loyalty shown by the workforce who worked half shifts in order to prevent job losses during the 2009-2010 downturn.

AMWU National Secretary Dave Oliver rejected speculation in a News Limited paper today that money was being used to subsidise wages.

“Government investment in the car industry is tied to contributions made by the car companies.  It is not used for wages.

“The government’s car transformation plan is a co-investment scheme which has seen auto companies invest billions of dollars in Australia for new models such as the Hybrid Camry in Altona and the fuel efficient Cruze in Elizabeth.“