Second Adelaide defence factory goes on strike

While an industrial dispute continues at submarine builder ASC, workers at a second Adelaide defence factory have walked off the job in support of better pay.

More than 100 South Australian workers from BAE Systems Australia walked off the job yesterday afternoon for 24 hours for better pay and conditions.

The stoppage at the Joint Strike Fighter Advanced Machining Facility at Edinburgh in Adelaide will occur over three shifts, with the majority of those striking from 7am local time on Tuesday.

The facility is one of the most advanced in Australia, machining the titanium parts that make up the twin tail fins of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The workers also work on the NULKA decoy rocket, Typhoon, and Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) projects.

Meanwhile at Osborne Naval Shipyard an industrial dispute which began in May has seen 350 workers taking industrial action seeking pay parity with colleagues interstate.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union SA Assistant State Secretary Stuart Gordon said BAE Systems kept workers wages low despite rising cost-of-living challenges experienced by the workforce.

The AMWU has rejected BAE System’s recent offer of a 3.75 percent wage increase for 2024, three percent in 2025 and three percent in 2026.

In negotiations ongoing since March, the AMWU is seeking 6.5 percent per year, across a three-year agreement.

Gordon said: “BAE workers over the last four years have been paid wage increases below the cost-of-living, below CPI increases and below minimum wage increases.

“The BAE manufacturing wage increase in 2021 was 1.5 percent, 2022 it was 1.5 percent, and in 2023 it was two percent.

“This equates to a five percent wage increase over three years. The minimum wage increase in 2023 was 5.75 percent alone.”

Further reading:
Essential submarine workers strike over unequal pay

Picture: Defence SA/Edinburgh Defence Precinct