ALP support for Target jobs campaign

Date: 04 June 2001

The plight of ASU members at Target Head Office in Geelong went before Victorian ALP State Conference this weekend, with a resolution supporting the ASU campaign to keep the jobs in Geelong passed by delegates. Coles Myer Limited are set to trial the centralisation of 'back of office' functions to Melbourne, sparking fears for the long term future of Geelong's largest service sector employer.

URGENCY RESOLUTION:

Coles Myer Investment in Geelong.

This Conference:

- notes the potential threat to the largest service industry employer in the Geelong region - Target / Fosseys Head Office which employs 860 people at its North Geelong Complex - by plans that Coles Myer Limited (CML) have announced to consolidate their "back of office" and support functions for their different businesses into one consolidated "General Merchandise and Apparel" operation.

- notes the positive measures that the Bracks Government has taken in support of regional Communities in general and the Geelong Community in particular ( eg The Geelong - Melbourne Freeway upgrade, the Port of Geelong redevelopment, the fast rail upgrade and positive assistance to local businesses) and the threat that any large scale job losses would pose to these efforts

And therefore calls upon Coles Myer Limited to:

- locate its "back of office" and support functions for its General Merchandise and Apparel in the Geelong Community and in doing so commit to protecting and enhancing the 850 jobs at the Geelong North complex.

- enter into negotiations with the Australian Services Union and if necessary the State Government and the City of Greater Geelong Council to ensure this is achieved prior to any positions being lost from the Geelong site in any "pilot" or "trial" program of re-organisation of the CML businesses towards its proposed "Melbourne Centric" base.

Further, conference calls upon the Bracks Government and its Ministers to continue their efforts to secure the CML operations in Geelong, in partnership with the ASU and the Geelong Community, as part of its important regional development strategy.

For further information

Contact:	Jason Gibson
Union:	Australian Services Union - Vic MEU Private Sector Branch
Phone:	03 9342 3418
Contact Mobile:	0418 100 319
Fax:	03 9342 3499
Email:	jgibson@meupsvic.asu.asn.au
WWW:	www.asuvic.org

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