Aluminium Strike in Western Australia

1400 Alcoa workers at two bauxite mines and three refineries in WA have vowed to continue an indefinite strike against the corporation. Workers from the Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries, the Huntley and Willowdale bauxite mines, and the Bunbury port went on strike early August after 20 months of painful negotiations over an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement, with the corporation failing to budge.

Alcoa is an American corporation that has bauxite mines and aluminium refining facilities in Australia. Just three of these refineries produce 8.8 million tons of aluminium a year. They definitely have a large stake in the game. Alcoa claims to act with integrity, operate with excellence, and care for the people, stating that “We treat all people with dignity and provide a diverse, inclusive work culture. We work safely, promote wellness, and protect the environment.

The workers maintain that the strike is not over salary but job security and the casualisation of work. The workers are scared that they will be replaced by cheap casual labourers or will be forced into redundancy. Even the permanent workers who have been there a long time feel that they are not secure.

Alcoa has responded by refusing to negotiate with them over job security, instead offering the workers what they call a “generous EBA” which offers a 14% superannuation contribution, an extended sick leave program with two years’ income support, a 36 hour work week, and an opportunity to earn extra income through supplementary shifts.

But the workers are not being fooled into stopping the strike or backing down and are maintaining solidarity with each other. Lots of these workers will be losing $4000 to $6000 in wages by keeping this strike going. Their militancy should be applauded.