Holden workers have hours halved

GM Holden will axe the afternoon shift at its assembly operations in Adelaide because of the economic downturn but says no jobs will be lost.

The company will move to a single shift from May with two teams each working one week on and one week off.

Spokesman Scott Whiffin said the company believed it was the best way to deal with the global economic issues.

He said there would be no redundancies but workers would receive half their usual wages.

Workers on the afternoon shift were told of the decision on Thursday night, with the new arrangements expected to remain in force until the end of the year.

- AAP