A message of support from our Australian Affiliate
Re: Save our Steel Campaign
As your union, Community, organises to bring thousands of steel workers, their families and supporters out into the streets this Saturday please let everyone attending know that the Australian Worker's Union supports your campaign.
Here in Australia we have first hand experience with Mr Kirby Adams, who took over as CEO at Corus this year. Before Corus he was CEO at the big Australian steelmaker BlueScope for six years.
The AWU's memories of Kirby Adams are not pleasant. In my view, when it comes to basic decency, straight-talking, fairness and respect for steelworkers it was for union members to see that in our then BlueScope Steel CEO.
I am not suprised therefore to hear of the unilateral attacks on Corus steel workers and working conditions under Kirby Adams, and the further retrenchments of your members at Corus.
Steel workers in Australia will feel the pain of the regional steel communities in the UK affected by the Corus crisis.
Our industry, like yours, is based in the regions away from the metropolitan centres where decision-makers live and set the economic agenda.
Today steel workers everywhere are all struggling with the effects of the Global Financial Crisis.
Good people in the steel communities around the globe are being made to pay for, and suffer, because of the unethical practices and greed of a few on Wall Street.
I know that the Community Union will continue to lead the fight to safeguard the future of the steel industry in your country - as we too are fighting to save the steel industry in Australia.
The gloves have to come off as steel union across the globe defend a core industry which should be at the heart of a future thriving manufacturing base - once we get to the other side of this ugly recession.
Your in Solidarity
Paul Howes
AWU National Secretary