Howard shuts out steelworkers

Date: 08 March 2002

The Federal Government is shutting out steelworks from national steel crisis talks, says the Australian Workers' Union.

An urgent steel industry summit called by the Federal Government later this month cannot develop a real national strategy to deal with the United States' 30 per cent steel import tariff if it does not involve workers and their representatives - the steel unions - says the Australian Workers' Union.

The AWU National Secretary, Bill Shorten, says the Federal Government is only tackling half the equation and will not find meaningful answers at the Summit without including steel unions.

"The Australian Workers' Union represents more than 10,000 workers at OneSteel, Smorgon Steel and BHP. Calling a summit without involving the voice of the workers shows nothing more than contempt for these hard-working Australian employees,'' Mr Shorten says.

"The Bush Administration has worked out it needs to involve unions, so when will the Howard Government learn? How can Australia develop a survival plan for steel when only half the stakeholders are in the life boat?''

Mr Shorten says: "The US tariffs will affect these workers and yet the Federal Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile, has not sought to involve unions in a Summit to talk about their future. Undoubtedly industry and Government will be the first to expect our members to cop any job losses that may arise out of the US import tariff.''

Mr Shorten says the Howard Government has passed up other opportunities to fight the controversial US tariff decision. "The AWU has strong links with the United Steelworkers of America and after recently visiting the USWA we know it is not unsympathetic to our position.''

The AWU urges the Howard Government to immediately include the AWU at the Summit roundtable. "We also urge the Government to pursue bilateral talks with the US Government to exempt Australia from the import tariffs," he says.

The Howard Government had a vital role to play to clear any misconceptions that the Australian steel industry is just a smoke stack industry, Mr Shorten says.
"The Australian steel industry is highly technical, is a provider of good jobs and is environmentally aware,'' he said. "We need tougher anti-dumping laws and clear stringent and effective local content requirements on major infrastructure projects."

For further information

Contact:	Andrea Carson
Union:	Australian Workers Union (National Office)
Phone:	039 3298733
Contact Mobile:	0407 041933
Fax:	03 9329 2871
Email:	awu@iprimus.com.au
WWW:	www.awu.net.au

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