Fed: Ajax talks continuing, says Macfarlane

AAP General News (Australia)
08-21-2006
Fed: Ajax talks continuing, says Macfarlane

Talks between embattled Ajax Engineered Fasteners and its administrators are continuing.

Federal Industry Minister IAN MACFARLANE says the talks aren't about pricing or government
policy .. as Labor is speculating .. but to resolve issues connected to Ajax's financial
and liability management.

Company administrators stood down 189 Ajax workers without pay on Friday.

And up to 10 thousand workers at Holden and Ford factories in Victoria and South Australia
face the same fate .. if the talks fail.

Earlier today workers at the factory turned off the furnaces .. and if they aren't
fired up again soon .. they say they'll cool to the point where it will take up to a fortnight
to bring them back on line.

AAP RTV dep/srp/bart

KEYWORD: AJAX MACFARLANE (CANBERRA)

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