Kurri Kurri workers Sydney protest

Date: 01 December 2010

Hunter region Hydro Aluminium smelter workers are coming to Macquarie Street in Sydney tomorrow, concerned that NSW Government decisions could see them lose their jobs.

“  At the moment, it seems, the State Government just can’t hear Hunter workers’ voices if we stay in our workplaces in Kurri Kurri. So our voices will be heard in Macquarie Street loud and clear tomorrow," AWU Newcastle Secretary, Richard Downie, said today.

Busloads of AWU members travelling to Sydney

“ We’ve arranged for several busloads of AWU members to come to Macquarie Street to hold a rally beginning at around 10 am in front of Parliament House tomorrow,” the AWU Newcastle Secretary said.

Earlier this week hundreds of workers, and community members, rallied in the Hunter to protest decisions being made in Sydney which could see a massive loss of jobs for the wider Newcastle area. The rally this week was part of an on-going campaign to defend local industries and local jobs.

State Government is screwing us around

“ The State Government is screwing us around by blocking one of its power companies, Delta Electricity, from signing a 10 year contract extension with the Norwegian-owned Hydro smelter in Kurri Kurri,” Richard Downie said.

“ The ten year extension to the power contract will protect the job security of smelter workers, and underline the potential for real regional industry and jobs growth over the next two decades. The AWU is campaigning for the security of our members, and the economic stability of the Hunter region - and we've got the support of a wide cross section of society behind us."

Mr Downie pointed out that Delta has been instructed, at the 11th hour, not to enter into a commercially-negotiated and approved contract with Hydro Aluminium that would secure power supply to the Kurri smelter until 2027. 

" Hydro had negotiated a ten-year extension of its contract with Delta to 2027 to provide certainty for future planning an investment. With no certainty past 2017 hundreds of  jobs at the Hydro smelter, and many more in support industries are in limbo, " the AWU leader said.

Union people, Labor people, can't stand aside and let this happen

“ Our members can’t understand why a Labor government would do this to the workers who back them every time there is an election.

“ I understand that if Delta Electricity isn’t allowed to sign the contract – which they’ve already agreed to sign – then 700 workers at the smelter will lose their jobs and another 3000 plus jobs in the region will also be lost,” Richard Downie said.

“ Union people, Labor people, can’t stand aside and let this happen. We expect Hunter Region Labor MPs to support us at our rally in Sydney tomorrow.”

The Kurri Kurri plant was the first aluminium facility built in NSW. Originally owned by Canadian company, Alcan it has been operating for more than 40 years . Approximately 80% of the smelter's output is exported to countries like Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, The Philippines, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia and the USA. Domestic sales account for approximately 20% of production.

For further information

Contact:	Richard Downie
Union:	AWU Newcastle Secretary
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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