Discussions between Alstom and the state government are continuing regarding the future of the Ballarat site, though there is no definitive answer on whether it will remain open.
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Union members at the site met on Wednesday to determine whether to continue actively campaigning for a resolution - for the last six months, rallies have been held outside the factory and state government MP offices, and several resolutions have been made calling for the state government to meet with union representatives.
The dispute centres around the next generation metropolitan trains, the X'Trapolis 2.0.
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- Unions to call motion at ALP state conference
- Ballarat Alstom workers protest state government
- Ballarat Alstom jobs still at risk, no action from state government
The company has submitted plans to the government regarding construction at the Ballarat factory, but the government has consistently said it is evaluating all options before committing to an order.
Right now, work is being completed on the last set of X'Trapolis trains in Ballarat, part of an order for five new trains.
Ballarat Regional Trades and Labour Council secretary Brett Edgington said in a statement unions understood discussions are taking place "concerning interim work to fill the workload gap until production can commence on X-Trapolis Mark 2 trains."
"Unions believe that in three to four weeks time there should be real clarity in terms of the results of these discussions," he said.
Australian Manufacturing Workers Union representative at Alstom Ashley Mabbitt said the X'Trapolis 2.0 project was "the key".
"If the 2.0 doesn't happen, there won't be a gap period, it'll be an automatic closure," he said.
"At the moment everything's rolling along, we're sort of in limbo, because until you get that definitive answer, you just have to keep working at it."
He added several casual workers on the current project will be finishing at the end of February, with fixed term workers expected to finish in April at the completion of the project.
An Alstom spokesperson reaffirmed the company's commitment to working with the state government.
"Alstom continues to work constructively with the State Government to secure the long term future of the Ballarat site. Unfortunately we are unable to provide any specific updates at this time," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The state government was emailed for comment.
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