More than 540 workers at Portland Aluminium, Victoria’s largest employer, have voted in favour of Protected Industrial Action after 16 weeks of stalled enterprise agreement negotiations with Alcoa, the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) Victoria announced.
The AWU said the decision follows a series of failed discussions with Alcoa management and increasing dissatisfaction among workers over the direction of the proposed agreement.
According to AWU Southwest Organiser Carl Millard, the company’s latest offer included a 12% wage increase over three years but also proposed changes that the union believes would significantly weaken long-standing workplace conditions.
“Alcoa thinks they can buy off our members with a 12% wage increase over three years while simultaneously stripping away conditions that workers have fought 40 years to secure,” Millard said. “Our members see right through this corporate sleight of hand.”
The union said a comprehensive survey of its members showed overwhelming support for taking action, with 98.5% backing the decision.
“When 98.5% of your workforce tells you to go back to the drawing board, smart companies listen. Alcoa apparently needs a stronger message,” Mr Millard said.
The AWU said negotiations have included 15 meetings and five hearings at the Fair Work Commission but have failed to deliver progress on key concerns, including income protection, delegates’ rights, progression opportunities, and permanent roles.
“After 15 meetings, 5 Fair Work Commission hearings, and 16 weeks of negotiations, we’re done with Alcoa’s tactics,” Mr Millard said. “Our members work in some of the most challenging industrial conditions in the country to keep one of the world’s most significant aluminium operations running. They deserve fair compensation and the protection of their existing entitlements, not corporate games that pit one against the other.”
The union noted the strategic and economic significance of the smelter, which contributes $560 million in export value annually and produces 358,000 metric tons of aluminium each year.
“These workers are the backbone of a facility that generates $560 million in export value annually for Victoria,” Mr Millard added. “They’ve earned their conditions through decades of hard work and solidarity, and they won’t let them be bargained away now.”
AWU Victoria State Secretary Ronnie Hayden said the union remains open to reaching a fair agreement but warned that if no progress is made, a 48-hour stoppage will begin at 8:00pm on Tuesday, August 5, followed by rolling six-hour stoppages.
“Portland Aluminium is Victoria’s only aluminium smelter,” Mr Hayden said. “Our members have built this operation into what it is today, and they won’t stand by while their rights are dismantled. We’re committed to reaching a fair agreement, but if Alcoa wants a fight over fundamental worker protections, they’ll get one.”
“The choice is simple – respect the workers who make this company profitable or face the consequences of 40 years of solidarity in action.”
Alcoa has not publicly responded to the AWU’s latest announcement at the time of publication.
