Working Together For a Brighter Future…Australian Steel Fabrication Employers and Unions

It’s being called a rare, if not totally strange, alliance, but it’s actually happening …

Australian steel manufacturers have joined forces with the unions that supply their workforce to urge the government to legislate for the use of more Australian steel in domestic projects.

Currently, the Australian Steel Institute (ASI) and the Australian Stainless Steel Development Association (two major industry groups) have begun working alongside the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) to lobby – and hopefully, influence – the Queensland government to enact legislation that will lead to more steel fabricating jobs.

It’s a worthwhile cause and it has a chance to succeed. In truth, this unprecedented alliance between groups that normally oppose each other is determined to force the creation of a mandate that compels the developers of major resource projects – in country, of course – to use a percentage of Australian-manufactured steel in their construction projects.

The trade organizations and the union are also demanding that “tender processes,” the procedure through which bidding takes place be done in English as a way of creating a “level playing field” for local suppliers.

Is all of this really necessary? According to Andrew Dettmer, the State Secretary for the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), it’s not just necessary, it’s long overdue.

Mr. Dettmer cited some recent job statistics to prove his point. According to him, Brisbane’s Gay Construction has reduced its local workforce by almost half in just the past two years while Beenleigh Steel Fabrication has been forced to eliminate 100 jobs in the last twelve months.

These jobs were lost because Australian contractors have been buying their steel from overseas sources. And, as Mr. Dettmer noted, it’s time for contractors to fill their projects with more Australian steel … with some urging from the Queensland government.

Now, it’s true that many contractors claim they do use Australian manufactured steel in their construction projects. But, as Australian Steel Institute (ASI) State Manager, John Gardner, noted, the amount of Australian steel used in these projects average about 10% of all steel used.

That’s not enough. And it is the reason why the alliance between the steel manufacturing trade groups and the steel workers union was formed.

Individually, they would be unlikely to influence policy changes. Together, they are formidable and likely to force changes that benefits Australian steel manufacturers and workers.

It’s a powerful alliance … a noble cause with a lofty goal. And, by all accounts, it looks as if it will work. And that’s good news for the people whose lives are directly affected … and for the Australian economy, as well.

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