Bluescope Job Cuts - Summit Called

Date: 30 June 2006

The South Coast Labour Council on behalf of affiliated steel industry unions calls on all stakeholders in the region's steel and related industries to participate in an urgent summit addressing the impact of the decision by Bluescope to shut its tin mill operations in Port Kembla and to address the future for this industry in the Illawarra.

The summit will be hosted by the South Coast Labour Council and held within the next 4 weeks and will include leaders invited from:

- Federal, State and Local Government
- Steel industry unions
- Bluescope Steel and peak business organisations
- Industry contractors
- Regional development organizations and academics
- Peak community organisations

The South Coast Labour Council also calls for an inquiry to be held into the future of the steel and related industries in the Illawarra and to examine:

- The effects of free trade agreements with China and other countries on the steel and related industries.
- Government policy and the need for a sustainable steel industry growth strategy and a plan for the future of the manufacturing industry more broadly.
- The role of the steel and related industry in the region's economy and impact of any further decline noting the region's current double digit unemployment levels.

South Coast Labour Council Secretary, Arthur Rorris, said:

"It's time to look at the future of our manufacturing base in the region, we can't cop too many hits like this."

"The Federal Government needs to pull its finger out and work with regions like ours to put together a sustainable plan."

"When Howard boasts about his economic credentials everyone here laughs, what's so great about unemployment over 10% and industries being decimated?

"People are incensed at the fact that our own Federal Government shares the blame for the decline of our manufacturing industries, Howard has blood on his hands."

For further information

Contact:	Arthur Rorris
Union:	South Coast Labour Council
Phone:	(02) 4229 2888
Contact Mobile:	0409 223029

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