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New pay offers made to striking South Australian submarine workers have been knocked back, according to government-operated submarine builder ASC.
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ASC, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation, faces ongoing protected industrial action from Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) of Australia workers at its Osborne Naval Shipyard.
Workers in South Australia are protesting against pay discrepancy with Western Australian workers, who allegedly receive around 17 per cent on average more, despite WA ASC workers being trained in South Australia and being reportedly paid more in the process than by those training them, according to the unions.
Trades and operator support workers providing maintenance and sustainment have previously taken industrial action over the ongoing pay dispute, reportedly resulting in ongoing stoppages.
“ASC acknowledges the ongoing protected industrial action being undertaken by the AMWU and ETU and their members,” an ASC statement said on 22 June.
“ASC is continuing to negotiate with the unions and their members, this has included a meeting between ASC’s managing director and chief executive officer and senior union representatives.
“Further offers have been presented to the unions and their members by ASC this week to achieve a resolution, however these offers have been rejected.
“ASC has once again urged the unions and their members to defer to the Fair Work Commission for a judgement and they have again rejected this offer.
“ASC will continue to negotiate with the unions and its workforce in good faith.”
The AMWU has also previously alleged that ASC chief executive officer Stuart Whiley has not attended a single negotiation meeting despite many requests and is the highest-paid CEO of a federal public entity in Australia.
“This workforce has secured the future of Australian and South Australian shipbuilding. The workers have done so through their performance and by rallying in their own time to force the government to invest in shipbuilding in Australia,” AMWU SA assistant state secretary Stuart Gordon said.
“These workers are needed for the AUKUS arrangement with BAE Systems and ASC to be successful. Unequal pay for work that is vital for our national security is unacceptable.”
