AMWU Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union WA

AMWU Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union WA We're organising workers in shipbuilding, metals trades, food, design, manufacturing, print, and labs to win. Join your AMWU for a better life.

Work in manufacturing, metals, food, automotive, design, print, labs or engineering? Authorised by Steve McCartney, WA State Secretary, 121 Royal St EAST PERTH.

🏁 AMWU Supporting Local Talent 🏁The AMWU is proud to once again support local motocross rider Tom Whipp as he competes t...
10/06/2026

🏁 AMWU Supporting Local Talent 🏁

The AMWU is proud to once again support local motocross rider Tom Whipp as he competes throughout the 2026 season.

This is now the second year that the AMWU has backed Tom’s racing journey, and we’re proud to see the AMWU colours displayed on both his bike and pit setup at events across Western Australia.

Tom had another strong result over the weekend, grabbing the hole shot — first rider out of the corner from the start — and finishing 2nd for the day. With results still being finalised, it looks likely that Tom may have done enough to secure the Coastal Championship.

The event at Jurien Bay on Sunday was valuable preparation as Tom gears up for the upcoming State Championship round later this month.

The AMWU believes in supporting local communities, local families and young people who demonstrate dedication, discipline and commitment to achieving their goals. Tom continues to represent those values every time he lines up behind the gate.

We wish you all the best for the remainder of the season Tom and look forward to following your progress throughout the year.

AMWU Delegate RecognitionThe AMWU is proud to recognise two outstanding delegates at Cockburn Cement, Graham "Towie" Tow...
08/06/2026

AMWU Delegate Recognition

The AMWU is proud to recognise two outstanding delegates at Cockburn Cement, Graham "Towie" Towie and Ian Gray.

Over many years, both have worked tirelessly to support their workmates, stand up for workers' rights, improve safety outcomes, and ensure members have a strong voice in the workplace.

Under often challenging circumstances, Towie and Ian have worked tirelessly to ensure mechanical trades employees receive a fair go. Whether it has been enterprise bargaining, workplace health and safety, resolving employment issues, supporting members through difficult situations or standing up for workers’ rights, they have consistently put their fellow workers first.

Delegates like Towie and Ian are the backbone of our union. Their dedication, leadership and commitment have helped deliver fairer outcomes for members and stronger workplaces for all.

Thank you, Towie and Ian, for your years of service and unwavering commitment to your fellow workers. ✊

UGL workers at Alcoa Wagerup and Pinjarra have been forced to apply for Protected Industrial Action after months of barg...
05/06/2026

UGL workers at Alcoa Wagerup and Pinjarra have been forced to apply for Protected Industrial Action after months of bargaining and an offer that falls well short of industry standards.

But this isn’t just on UGL. Alcoa cannot wash its hands of this.

These workers maintain and repair Alcoa’s refineries, work the same rosters, and help keep these highly profitable operations running every day. Yet they’re being told to accept wage outcomes that don’t reflect their skills, contribution or the rising cost of living.

This is an attack on all workers at Alcoa.

Today’s contractor agreement becomes tomorrow’s benchmark for the direct workforce.

The AMWU stands with our members.

The workforce has drawn a line in the sand. Now it’s time to stand together.

United we bargain. Divided we beg.

🚨 AMWU FILES FOR PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT BHP PORTS 🚨While others are telling Pilbara mine workers that BHP's prop...
30/05/2026

🚨 AMWU FILES FOR PROTECTED INDUSTRIAL ACTION AT BHP PORTS 🚨

While others are telling Pilbara mine workers that BHP's proposed South Flank and Mining Area C Agreement is somehow a step forward, the AMWU is doing what it has always done — fighting hard for mechanical trades workers and organising to build real power.

For months, AMWU members at BHP port operations in Port Hedland have bargained in good faith. They have attended meetings, put forward claims, participated constructively and genuinely tried to reach an agreement that reflects the skills, experience and contribution of the mechanical maintenance workforce.

Other unions in the Pilbara are busy selling workers minimum-rate agreements with no real career progression, weak protections and little certainty for the future. AMWU members at BHP ports are drawing a line in the sand.

The AMWU has now commenced proceedings in the Fair Work Commission seeking a Protected Action Ballot Order.

This is not a step workers take lightly.

Protected industrial action is a lawful right. It exists for a reason. When workers have bargained honestly, reasonably and in good faith, they are entitled to have a meaningful mechanism available to apply pressure when negotiations stall.

Now they are exercising their lawful rights.

The message from Port Hedland maintenance workers is loud and clear:

Enough is enough.

If you're a mechanical tradesperson working for BHP in Port Hedland, South Flank, Mining Area C, Yandi, Jimblebar, Newman, Rail, Ports or anywhere across the Pilbara, now is the time to stand with the union that is actually fighting for mechanical maintenance workers.

Stand and deliver. Join the AMWU.

✊ United.
✊ Determined.
✊ Ready to fight for a fair deal.

BHP BARGAINING UPDATEThe proposed MAC & South Flank Agreement is packed with vague classifications, management discretio...
28/05/2026

BHP BARGAINING UPDATE

The proposed MAC & South Flank Agreement is packed with vague classifications, management discretion and salary absorption clauses that should concern every tradesperson on site.

Under this draft:
• Progression is NOT automatic
• Higher duties do NOT guarantee higher classification
• The company decides if you’re “operationally required” at a higher level
• You can lead crews, train workers, troubleshoot complex breakdowns and still never progress unless management appoints you in writing

Mechanical trades are expected to:
• multi-skill
• train others
• work flexibly
• perform broader duties
• accept roster changes
• transfer locations if required

But where are the guaranteed career pathways?
Where are the objective competency standards?
Where are the enforceable progression rights?

Tradespeople in the Pilbara deserve transparent classifications, fair progression, proper recognition of skills and enforceable protections.

Members need to read this agreement carefully.

Because once rights are signed away, getting them back is always harder.

INGHAMS MEMBERS WIN BIGInghams workers have voted up the Company’s second EBA offer, which includes:1. 12.75% pay increa...
25/05/2026

INGHAMS MEMBERS WIN BIG

Inghams workers have voted up the Company’s second EBA offer, which includes:

1. 12.75% pay increases over 3 years with FULL backpay to 12 Jan 2026,
2. 7.5% loading for workers that previously missed out on afternoon shift loading by only a few minutes,
3. Casual conversion for 10 union members that had been waiting too long,
4. Big improvements to shutdown arrangements

This is a far cry from what the Company was prepared to offer at the start of negotiations, and workers wouldn’t have won if they didn’t stick together. This is what Union power looks like! ✊

Throwback to May Day and the winner of our May Day raffle!Congratulations to Mick who is now retired and part our Retire...
20/05/2026

Throwback to May Day and the winner of our May Day raffle!

Congratulations to Mick who is now retired and part our Retired Members Division.

All proceeds were donated to the Peel Community Kitchen and Huge thank you to Coverforce who sponsored the prize.

Enjoy the prize comrade!!

BOORTMALT MEMBERS STAND UPUnion members at Boortmalt work around the clock to produce the malt we need to keep our brewe...
18/05/2026

BOORTMALT MEMBERS STAND UP

Union members at Boortmalt work around the clock to produce the malt we need to keep our breweries and distilleries well stocked.

In Forrestfield and Bibra Lake, these workers have requested to negotiate an Enterprise Agreement with their employer three times now, and each time the Company has refused.

Members are taking matters into their own hands and submitting a Majority Support Determination to the Fair Work Commission.

In the meantime, mass meetings are being held offsite to begin drafting their log of claims.

Solidarity comrades ✊

Another reminder why strong union safety inspections matter. AMWU officials recently conducted a Section 49I WHS inspect...
13/05/2026

Another reminder why strong union safety inspections matter.

AMWU officials recently conducted a Section 49I WHS inspection at the Primero Coastal Waters Project, identifying multiple serious safety concerns onsite, including:

⚠️ Unprotected floor penetrations creating trip and fall hazards
⚠️ Silica dust exposure concerns from concrete works
⚠️ Incomplete scaffold edge protection creating dropped object risks
⚠️ Poor housekeeping and inadequate hazard controls

These are not minor issues. They are foreseeable risks that can seriously injure workers or cause long-term health impacts.

The AMWU has formally raised concerns and called for immediate corrective action, including improved silica dust controls, scaffold compliance, air monitoring and site-wide inspections.

Every worker has the right to go to work and come home safe.

✊ Safety is not optional.
✊ Safety comes before production.

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE – BP KWINANAThe AMWU is demanding urgent action following a serious potential asbestos exposure incide...
12/05/2026

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE – BP KWINANA

The AMWU is demanding urgent action following a serious potential asbestos exposure incident involving maintenance workers on Tank 412 at BP Kwinana.

Workers were reportedly directed to cut and remove a galvanised tank roof seal last week, only to be informed days later that the material was potentially asbestos-containing.

The concern extends beyond the workers directly involved. Due to delays in notification and contamination controls, there are serious concerns asbestos fibres may have spread into:
▪️ lunch rooms and crib huts
▪️ work and personal vehicles
▪️ change rooms and common areas
▪️ workers’ homes through contaminated clothing and PPE

The AMWU has formally demanded:
✔️ Independent asbestos assessors onsite
✔️ Air monitoring and contamination testing
✔️ Medical assessments and health monitoring
✔️ Proper decontamination processes
✔️ Full consultation with workers, HSRs and unions
✔️ Confirmation WorkSafe WA has been notified

No worker should ever be exposed to asbestos because of failures in planning, hazard identification or communication.

If you believe you may have been affected, contact the AMWU immediately.

Address

121 Royal Street
East Perth, WA
6004

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

1300 732 698

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