Whyalla steelworks to ramp up production, allowing employees to return to normal hours

Whyalla steelwork employees have been on cutback hours for months – but today there’s been a huge announcement about their future.

Whyalla steelwork employees affected by unexpected blast furnace repair works will return to shiftwork from Wednesday, as GFG Alliance prepares to return to normal steel production.

About 300 of the plant’s 1100 employees and contractors have been on reduced hours and 30 per cent less pay since mid March when the furnace went cold during routine maintenance.

In a statement, GFG Alliance said the furnace restart was nearing completion after hot metal temperature and chemistry moved to optimal levels in recent days.

Power and services, maintenance and steelmaking workers who are on temporary day rosters will progressively return to regular day/night rosters from Wednesday, the statement said.

GFG subsidiary Liberty Primary Steel’s managing director Tony Swiericzuk said the company was now at the “pointy end of the recovery operation”.

“(It) means we can start preparing the steelworks to do what we do best – making high-quality steel,” Mr Swiericzuk said.

GFG head Sanjeev Gupta at the Arrium Steel plant in Whyalla. Picture: AAP / David Mariuz

“I look forward to welcoming workers back to their regular shift rosters and want to thank them for their patience and commitment during this time.”

The restart of the furnace was further delayed in May after the shell was damaged during repair works and GFG Alliance executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta had expected hot metal to flow sometime in June.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union northern regions organiser Steve McMillian said while some workers had resigned due to family or financial reasons, the majority were relieved to be back.

“We had an emergency phone hook-up with the manger last night and it’s coming back online quicker than expected,” Mr McMillian said.

“It’ll be a big relief for the whole town, not just the steelworkers.

“But we’ve made it clear those who have already made (rostering) changes for family reasons, or caring responsibilities need to be given time to rejig things.

“Those who can swap straight away and go back on to shifts will be compensated accordingly as it’s less than 48 hours notice.”

GFG Alliance previously said it was using existing inventory and importing billet steel – a semifinished product cast from a furnace – to fill orders.

The ageing coal-fired blast furnace will eventually be retired and replaced with an electric arc furnace in 2027 – two years later than first scheduled.

Originally published as Whyalla steelworks to ramp up production, allowing employees to return to normal hours