Union welcomes Alcoa Victoria announcement

02 March 2010

Australian Workers' Union members are celebrating the job certainty delivered to thousands of regional Victorian families because of a long-term deal energy deal announced today by Alcoa.

" As a union, with the majority of our membership based in regional and remote Australia, we know our families are concerned about keeping good secure jobs in their towns and communities - so that our children and grandchildren can have a future," Cesar Melhem, AWU Victoria Branch Secretary said.

AWU wants new Alcoa investment for a sustainable production process

" In Victoria Alcoa represents a massive jobs boost for our regional centres - so we are keen to keep these facilities operating well into the future. Today's announcement provides that job security.

" However our members know that if we can't find a way to work co-operatively with Alcoa to move to a more sustainable production process we will face these same issues again in twenty or thirty years time.

Use breathing space to develop business model based on a carbon constrained economy

" We've got a breathing space here - but now the AWU will encourage Alcoa to invest in appropriate technology development .

" We know that both Point Henry - with an ageing plant - as well as Port Hedland can only survive in the long term if there is a new round of investment; investment which will support a business model based on a carbon constrained economy," Cesar Melhem said.