InfraBuild Workers To Walk Off The Job Amid Pay Talks

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Employees at Newcastle steel-maker InfraBuild will walk of the job from midday today, as they call for a fairer pay deal. 

The action involves members of the Australian Workers' Union (AWU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), and the Electrical Trades Union (ETU.  

Members at both the Rod and AusTube Mills say the company's wage offer fails to keep pace with the cost of living, and low staffing levels have been affecting the morale of workers. 

They also say management has moved them from a 12-hour shift pattern to an 8-hour one, and has taken away paid shower time and break provisions. 

Organiser, Ben Horan from the Newcastle Branch of the AWU, says they are currently negotiating two InfraBuild enterprise agreements, which both expired in August.

"There has been some movement from the company which is encouraging...but we're just coming to a sticking point at the moment around wages and trying to keep our members up with the cost of living," he said. 

The action will run for two hours, however Mr. Horan says they'll keep fighting if they have to. 

"Moving forward, we're going to be absolutely ramping it up a lot more, with minimum 12-hour stoppages and things of that nature." 

The industrial action marks the first time there have been strikes at the mills in 30 years. 

250 Hunter Steel Workers Made Redundant

BY OLIVIA DILLON

250 workers at a Newcastle-based mining consumables company will lose their jobs as a result of an operations change.

Molycop has announced it will cease steel-making operations at Waratah, meaning hundreds of roles will be made redundant.

A spokesperson says it was a difficult decision, but it's poised to put the company in the best financial position possible.

It's reportedly started consulting with the affected employees about the move.

President of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union Brad Pidgeon, says there was no consultation with workers prior to the announcement this morning. 

The union will continue to advocate for members to be redeployed to other businesses in the region. 

 

Image: Molycop

Molycop Considering Stopping Steel Production in Newcastle After 100 Years

BY EL FITCHETT

One of Newcastle's oldest steel producers, Molycop could cease steel production in Newcastle, if Australia's Anti-Dumping Commission doesn't increase tariffs on Chinese steel imports.

The Molycop Group have been producing steel at their Waratah site for over 103 years since 1917. 

The Australian reports Molycop is instead considering importing the steel from China, if the tariffs aren't raised. 

The move could result in the loss of 300 jobs across the company. 

The national Anti-Dumping Commission is currently investigating the case put to it by Molycop, which calls for tariffs on its Chinese competitors to be raised and extended for another five years.

A decision in the case would require approval from Australia's new Industry, Innovation and Science Minister Christian Porter, in the coming months. 

The Anti-Dumping Commission will provide its recommendation to the Minister in a final report on the matter by July 2, 2021.

Image Credit: Gabes Cleaning