Job losses in defence shipbuilding: ASC abolishes more than 200 positions as Air Warfare Destroyer project winds down

MORE than 200 job losses have been announced at Adelaide shipbuilder ASC as work winds down on the Air Warfare Destroyer project.

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MORE than 200 job losses have been announced at Adelaide shipbuilder ASC as work winds down on the Air Warfare Destroyer project.

Staff at the Federal Government-owned company were told on Monday that about 197 blue-collar and 26 white-collar jobs would go.

An ASC Shipbuilding spokesman said some staff whose positions will be abolished could be redeployed to other parts of the company.

“The company anticipates that the number of people required to leave the business will be reduced due to transfer opportunities to ASC’s submarine’s business,’’ the spokesman said.

“Voluntary and non-voluntary redundancy packages will also be offered.

“Today’s announcement starts a minimum six-week consultation process with the permanent workforce. No workers will be departing the business today.”

HMAS Hobart and Brisbane during Sea Acceptance Trials. More than 200 jobs are set to go from Adelaide shipbuilder ASC as work on the Air Warfare Destroyers finishes. Picture: Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.

Support would be provided to staff through the company’s employee assistance program and career transition centre.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union national assistant secretary Glenn Thompson blamed Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne for the job losses.

“Minister Pyne looked shipbuilders in the eye and promised them that the work and their jobs were now secure,” Mr Thompson said.

“This promise has been broken. He’s tossed workers aside.”

Earlier on Monday, Mr Pyne said the Government was maximising Australian involvement and local jobs in the construction of navy ships.

“Labor of course made not one decision in six years to commission a vessel in Australia — we’ve commissioned 54,” he said.

Mr Pyne announced before Christmas that 200 ASC workers facing job losses would be offered new positions in submarine construction and maintenance or scholarships to upgrade their skills for other shipbuilding projects.

ASC will commence construction work on two Offshore Patrol Vessels later this year and hopes to be involved in building the navy’s nine Future Frigates.