500 shipbuilding workers march on SA Premier

Close to 500 South Australian manufacturing workers at two of the country’s largest defence manufacturing companies are scheduled to rally outside the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Adelaide today.

Around 350 workers from ASC and more than 100 workers from BAE Systems are set to walk off the job over stalled negotiations around their pay and conditions.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA Assistant State Secretary Stuart Gordon said both defence companies are keeping workers on low wages despite increasing cost-of-living challenges experienced by both workforces.

Gordon said: “These workers experience an average of 1.5 per cent wage increase capped each year – the current Consumer Price Index for Adelaide for June 2024 is 4.5 per cent.”

The workers want to take their separate disputes before state and federal leaders through the rally.

Gordon said: “These massive defence companies are out-of-touch with the average Australian. To insist on placing wage increase caps so that wages do not keep pace with cost-of-living increases is really starting to bite on these workers.

“We’re hoping all state and federal government politicians come out to support South Australian workers today.”

BAE workers have been in negotiations since March this year, with workers commencing protected industrial action last week.

ASC workers have been in negotiations since November 2023 with ASC workers undertaking ongoing protected industrial action since March.

BAE workers have a central role in the advanced manufacturing of missile capability and internal structures of warplanes and warships.

ASC maintenance workers have a critical role in the maintenance of Australia’s submarines, as the only workers able to perform a Full-Cycle Docking and extending the life of the Collins Class submarines.

The workers have been pushing for pay parity with their Western Australian counterparts.

“For ASC workers it’s insulting to be paid 18.5% less to do the same work as other ASC workers,” Gordon said.

Further reading:
Second Adelaide defence factory goes on strike
Essential submarine workers strike over unequal pay

Picture: BAE Systems Edinburgh Parks facility