AWU to Hold Crane to Job Security Guarantee

The Australian Workers’ Union has secured a guarantee from the Crane Group Limited that its workforce will not be disadvantaged by the sale of its aluminium business to Capral Aluminium.

AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten was speaking after Crane Group Limited announced it was selling its aluminium business, including Crane Aluminium Extrusions, Crane Aluminium Systems and Smart Aluminium, to Capral Aluminium Limited for $124 million.

AWU National Secretary Bill Shorten said the AWU represented about 350 workers across Crane's Penrith (New South Wales), Somerton (Victoria) and Angaston (South Australia) sites.

"We are pleased that the Crane Group has stated publicly that all Crane employees within the aluminium business will be offered employment with Capral," Mr Shorten said.

"We have been guaranteed by Crane that no worker will be worse off as a result of the sale," he said.

"However, we won't be taking anything for granted and, on behalf of our concerned members, we will be seeking regular meetings with both Crane and Capral to hold them to that promise."