Shipbuilders will hold simultaneous rallies and events around Australia on Friday to send a message to the Federal Government that action is urgently needed to save their jobs and the industry.
“Hundreds of shipbuilders have already lost their jobs in the past few months, including hundreds in the Hunter NSW, Williamstown Melbourne and in Adelaide at ASC,” said AMWU Assistant National Secretary Glenn Thompson.
“Any further delay to commissioning work will see Australia lose this industry entirely – which is increasingly seeming like the Government’s plan.”
Just last week, Federal Government leaks suggested that the yards at Williamstown and Newcastle would be ‘jettisoned’ altogether.
Rallies and events will be held in the following locations:
MELBOURNE:
1.15pm | Treasury Place Melbourne (Minister Andrews’ Office)
with Bill Shorten MP and workers from BAE Williamstown
Press Conference: 1.50pm | Treasury Place | Melbourne
Bill Shorten MP, Paul Bastian, National Secretary AMWU, Leon White, BAE Shipbuilder
ADELAIDE:
10.30am | Assembling at Victoria Square
with SA Minister Martin Hamilton-Smith and Senator Nick Xenophon
Press Conference: 11.30am, 100 King William St
Senator Xenophon and Glenn Thompson, AMWU
PERTH:
11am | Minister for Finance Mathis Corman, Cnr St Georges Terrace & Sherwood Ct
with workers from Perth shipyards
NEWCASTLE:
12noon | Office of Bob Baldwin MP, 35 Sturgeon St Raymond Terrace
with workers recently made redundant from Forgacs shipyard
ENDS