AWU Members at InfraBuild's Laverton Steel Mill will begin rolling industrial stoppages from Friday, 24 October, after overwhelmingly rejecting a sub-standard enterprise agreement and enduring four years of stalled negotiations.
AWU members at the site will implement 12–24-hour stoppages on a rolling basis until the company returns to the bargaining table with a fair offer. The decision follows a mass meeting last week where support for industrial action was unanimous and emphatic.
After four years of disputes, safety failures, and wages falling behind, our members have reached their limit," said Dave Swan, AWU Metro Lead Organiser.
"They've decisively rejected the Infrabuild’s enterprise agreement. The message is clear; workers deserve a genuine offer that reflects the current cost of living.”
Imported steel undermines local workers
While AWU members prepare to fight for decent conditions, InfraBuild is importing significant quantities of foreign steel, steel that could be manufactured by Australian workers at sites like Laverton.
"Every tonne of foreign steel imported into Australia weakens our manufacturing industry, undercuts Australian jobs, and makes a mockery of this government's rhetoric about a Future Made in Australia," said AWU Victoria State Secretary, Ronnie Hayden
Australia has become a dumping ground
Just three months ago, industry leaders gathered at the National Manufacturing Summit in Sydney and warned that steel once destined for the United States is now being redirected to Australia following stronger US trade protections.
Without similar measures here, Australia has become a dumping ground for cheap imports, accelerating the decline of a sector already under immense pressure.
Minister Tim Ayres stood before that same summit and announced $500 million for clean energy manufacturing, a $1 billion Green Iron Investment Fund, and $3 billion for green metals production.
The government said Australian steel and fabrication businesses would benefit enormously from local procurement policies. They talked about manufacturing 6,000 wind towers right here in Australia.
Government rhetoric meets reality
The industrial action comes as Prime Minister Albanese met with US President Donald Trump to promote Australian manufacturing and secured a minerals deal that promises to strengthen local industry.
"The Prime Minister is overseas talking up Australian manufacturing and our critical minerals sector, while back home companies like InfraBuild are importing boatloads of foreign steel to break Australian workers," said Mr Hayden.
"You can't have it both ways. Either this government backs Australian manufacturing and the workers who make it happen, or 'Future Made in Australia' is just a slogan that means nothing when it matters most."
AWU members at Laverton are seeking fair wages that keep pace with cost-of-living increases and improved workplace conditions after years of safety failures.
Industrial action will continue until a fair agreement is reached.
Picket line BBQ
Friday 24 October, 6:00am
AWU members and supporters are invited to join workers on the picket line at InfraBuild Laverton Steel Mill for a BBQ on Friday, 24 October at 6:00am.
Location: 105 Dohertys Road, Laverton North
Media Contact:
SASHA DOUGHERTY
AWU Communications Manager
0438 498 305
[email protected]
