Whyalla steelworks: joint AWU, AMWU, ETU and MUA unions statement

THE Australian Workers’ Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Electrical Trades Union and Maritime Union of Australia have issued a joint statement welcoming the South Australian and Federal Government’s $2 billion support plan for the Whyalla steelworks.

"Today’s announcement provides long overdue certainty to workers and a community that have dealt with disruption and doubt for far too long. This historic investment into a critical manufacturing facility will secure Whyalla’s future after years of reckless mismanagement," the join statement read.

"Workers should never have been sweating on shutdowns and closures as the boss dodged suppliers, sent profits offshore, ran the plant down and never delivered on promises to invest. This package allows them to get back to the business of making the steel this country depends on.

"It can also set the plant up for a bright future -- transforming steelmaking on the Eyre Peninsula from laggard to world leader. 

"GFG’s neglect may have made it hard for some to see, but the plant has all the key ingredients to spearhead the shift to clean green steelmaking: access to magnetite ore, gas, hydrogen and renewables, plus decades of experience and industrial knowhow."

The unions jointly commended the Prime Minister, SA Premier and Ministers for acting decisively and with appropriate ambition. The public interest may demand government retains a stake in the steelworks moving forward, the unions suggested.

"This is what a ‘Future Made in Australia’ means: steering industries through the challenges of today to set them up for the opportunities of tomorrow," the joint statement read.

"The steelworks is precisely what we mean when we talk of vital sovereign capabilities.

"We will work closely with Whyalla management and the South Australian government to ensure that operations continue smoothly at the steelworks in the coming weeks and months. 

"We also welcome the Federal Government’s announcement of the national billion-dollar Green Iron Investment Fund.

"This will provide important support for all Australian steelmakers to manage the shift to new production methods and maximise the benefits of the transition.

AWU national secretary Paul Farrow said, “This announcement shows what real political leadership looks like: turning a challenging situation into a huge shot in the arm for Australia’s sovereign capability. Whyalla supplies three-quarters of Australia’s domestic steel supply. Without it we would be beholden to foreign nations for the building blocks of our society. 

“The Whyalla steelworks is a vital piece of national infrastructure, and yet our members have endured years of anxiety wondering if their jobs would survive administration and restructuring. It's time to get off this merry-go-round. Whyalla's workers perform a vital role for the nation and they deserve certainty and stability.”

AMWU national secretary Steve Murphy said, “Workers now feel a strong sense of hope for the future of Whyalla steel. For the past eight years workers have watched the mines, plant and machines being deliberately run down and neglected, with essential spare parts not being available as the bills haven’t been paid. This announcement today means that the conversations at the workplace have done an about-face. Workers aren’t wondering how long they’ve got, but instead how bright their futures can be. We now have a clearer pathway to green steel and a strong future for their community.

“Workers will not pay the price for the financial mismanagement with their jobs. The brightest news is we will keep making steel in Whyalla. Workers are now thinking about the future, not worried about the past.”

ETU national secretary Michael Wright said, “Australia deserves a steel industry and Whyalla workers deserve a future. This commitment from the PM and Premier gives these workers, this community, and our country a shot at that future. With such massive public investment there needs to be real public oversight and real worker input and control. We can’t see history repeat itself -- the workers of Whyalla need a secure future they can believe in and rely on.”

MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said, "The Whyalla steelworks is one of Australia’s great nationbuilding facilities and has provided continuity for our manufacturing sector, strong employment and underpinned our national security for all of its history. It has relied on maritime supply chains for its operations for almost 100 years and in doing so has provided fulfilling and rewarding employment for generations of MUA members and their families.

"The government’s announcement demonstrates their determination to secure this industry’s future in the national interest. Likewise, the MUA is committed to seeing the Whyalla steelworks operated effectively, efficiently and productively for generations to come. 

"We cannot emphasise enough at this time of great international uncertainty and environmental challenge including during the recent pandemic that the retention of sovereign capacity in sectors such as steel manufacturing and Australian coastal shipping is essential for the national interest."

 

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