SA Branch Secretary: Relief for Whyalla Members
The biggest news to come out of SA is the recent announcements coming out of the Whyalla Steelworks. The SA government made a historic move by passing legislation in record time to put GFG into administration. This was followed by a $2.4b support package announced by the Federal government to back steel-making at Whyalla for decades to come.
It’s not an easy decision to put any company into administration. Our members at Whyalla became frustrated with GFG not delivering on their plans. The state of the plant was deteriorating, combined with the blast furnace issues over the last year, meant something needed to be done. Integrated steelworkers and miners that worked for GFG and the town of Whyalla in general are buoyed by the decision, which means there is finally a plan to make steel in Whyalla long into the future. The SA Branch is aware the immediate future is going to be a difficult path to navigate as we work with the administrator and the Governments to source a new owner to breathe new life into the steelmaking town of Whyalla. We will stand with our members to achieve the best outcome possible.
We’re keeping up the fight for our members across the state. Organisers continue to support PALM workers at their on-arrival briefings as they come to work in our farms. We’re making sure every worker is aware of their rights and entitlements, including wages, access to superannuation, fair deductions and accommodation standards. We’re proud to welcome our members (and returning members!) to the AWU.
Meanwhile, the union has represented members from the District Council of Mount Remarkable in a long legal fight over a dodgy EA clause.
The new EA, voted up by a slim majority, allows the Council to enter into individual contracts with employees, undermining the solidarity of our members and the very purpose of a collective agreement. The AWU objected to the lodging of the EA, and took the fight to the South Australian Employment Tribunal.
Eventually, a full bench determined that they could not certify a collective agreement which included a clause for individual contracts, and the Council agreed to remove it.
This is a huge win for our members at Mount Remarkable, but also an important legal precedent for workers in South Australia. The AWU will not stand by and allow employers to weaken our members’ collective power!
Finally, we’re excited to welcome workers from Cleanaway Moomba, who have joined the AWU to get an EA for their worksite that recognises their specific role and conditions. They’re all fired up and ready to fight if the bosses don’t come to the table with a fair deal!
https://awu.net.au/national/news/2025/04/22453/message-from-the-acting-sa-branch-secretary-relief-for-members-at-whyalla/