SA shipbuilders walk off the job
More than 400 defence shipbuilders constructing the Hunter Class Frigates have walked off the job today in protest of a pay deal.
BAE Systems shipbuilders from the Osborne Naval Shipyard will march on the company’s Flinders Street headquarters in the CBD today, demanding a better pay deal from their employer.
The workers, building the Hunter Class Frigates, claim the latest pay deal from BAE Systems “significantly undervalues their skills and contribution to national defence”.
Those joining the protest are members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Electrical Trades Union of Australia (ETA).
They claim they are paid 20 per cent less than the going rate in the shipbuilding industry.
AMWU SA state secretary Stuart Gordon said the workers on strike were “highly skilled”.
“They are welders, boilermakers, electricians, fitters and riggers,” Gordon said.
“SA BAE workers are sick of being treated as the poor cousin.
“BAE is offering just 12 per cent while the industry rate has moved well beyond that.”
A BAE Systems Australia spokesperson said the company was “negotiating an Enterprise Agreement that seeks to ensure improvements to wages and longer-term job security for our employees”.
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“We continue to negotiate in good faith with the aim of achieving an outcome that balances reward and sustainability, to ensure value for money to the Commonwealth and taxpayer.
“We will provide a further update when appropriate.”
The industrial actions come after PepsiCo SA workers walked off the job amid a pay dispute, and Flinders Medical Centre workers went on strike over pay demands.
