Steel Unions Set Conditions
Illawarra Mercury
Wednesday October 13, 1999
Steel unions will organise a national campaign to ensure that any buyer of BHP's $3 billion worth of steel assets, including the Port Kembla tin mill, maintains present employment conditions.
Steel union delegates from throughout BHP's steel operations in Port Kembla, Whyalla, Newcastle and other centres will meet in Wollongong on October 21 to plan the campaign.
Delegates' meetings at the Ironworkers' Building on Monday afternoon and yesterday morning resolved to notify BHP of its decision ``as a matter of urgency".
They also resolved: ``That in any sale or float of any part of the company, all employment conditions be maintained and protected."
Australian Workers Union national president Graham Roberts said the union was determined to protect workers' conditions as BHP sold off its steel operations. He has assured employees that agreements were already in place to protect them.
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury
