1400 Alcoa workers unanimously voted for indefinite strike at bauxite mines

According to the latest report on August 18, around 1400 workers have voted almost unanimously in favour of an indefinite strike that started last week for 20 months of negotiation. Workers from the Huntley and Willowdale bauxite mines, Bunbury Port, and the Kwinana, Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries went on this strike after they failed to come to an agreement with employers over an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.

AWU West Australian Branch president Andy Hacking said the situation was escalating after all bar four of the striking employees voted at a meeting in Pinjarra on August 17 for the strike. Some feel they had come too far to back down now.

“All but four out of 1400 voted for indefinite industrial action and the feeling among most of the guys is we’ve come too far to go back,” he said.

“This will come down to whoever is prepared to hold out for one day further than the other, but we’re in it for the long haul.”

An Alcoa spokesman on behalf of the company expressed disappointment over the decision to invite employees to vote on a new EBA later this month, saying that it was unnecessary and only served to impact employees through lost earnings.

Mr. Hacking opined that those on strike were not concerned with increasing salaries but maintaining job security was their key priority.