The ETU welcomes the State Government of South Australia’s commitment to invest in the ongoing future of the Whyalla Steelworks and the future of Whyalla.
The Whyalla Steelworks employs 1000 people directly, and the town of 22,000 people relies on it as a major driver of the economy. Workers in Whyalla have been struggling with increasing risks to job security, the risks to the financial security of their town, and the risks to having a safe and secure future for industry in Whyalla while the future of the Steelworks has been uncertain.
The ongoing issue with the Steelworks and the mine’s financial viability is causing a lack of expenditure on critical maintenance and repairs and an increasing list of creditors withdrawing services and products due to non-payment. This situation has made it harder and harder for employees to do their jobs and keep the steelworks running.
The ETU and CEPU SA are eager to understand more about the significant funding package that the government has committed to announcing, that is intended to support the ongoing operation of the Steelworks.
The ETU and CEPU SA understand that KordaMentha intends to appoint an experienced special adviser to assist the administration and is engaging with parties. Our union calls the on the government to establish a formal role for workers and the community of Whyalla.
“The workers of Whyalla deserve a safe and secure future for themselves, their community and their town. The workers have been doing it really tough, and today’s announcement offers a way forward for securing workers’ future.
We will work with the State Government and industry to make the Whyalla Steelworks the green industry centre we know it can be and to ensure that through this process of administration there is a real role for workers to take control of their working future.”
- John Adley, CEPU SA Branch Secretary
“The Whyalla Steelworks is crucial to delivering on the Federal commitment to a Future made in Australia and to rebuilding regional economies. With this announcement Whyalla has the potential to be at the forefront of a new export industry. However, to ensure the process of administration is effective and fair, ETU members must have a genuine say in not only the administration process but also designing the future for their industry and their town.”
- Michael Wright, ETU National Secretary