Maintenance staff at South32's Worsley Alumina refinery began a 48-hour strike on Tuesday, seeking improved pay and conditions as US miner Alcoa's proposed takeover of South32's major bauxite mine and alumina refinery, in a deal worth more than $8 billion, approaches.
More than 100 workers from the refinery are taking part in the industrial action. Workers, alongside Electrical Trades Union and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union representatives, formed a picket line along the entrance road. The industrial action is protected and coincides with a planned shutdown at the site's main processing plant.
Alcoa announced in July it would buy the South32 bauxite mine and alumina refinery in a deal worth more than $8 billion. Unions are trying to finalise a renewed enterprise bargaining agreement before the ownership change, expected in the first half of 2027.
Union representatives said the dispute rests on what they argue is a significant difference in working conditions between South32 employees and workers doing similar jobs at Alcoa. ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage said the company had not been in contact since workers overwhelmingly rejected its latest offer.
AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney said the decision to strike was not taken lightly. "They're like everyone else — they're trying to pay bills, they're trying to pay houses off, they're trying to get kids through school," he said. "They deserve to be paid the same money, doing the same job at the same end of town."
Union representatives said the potential loss of discretionary bonuses after the Alcoa takeover could cost workers up to 10 per cent of their wages. One employee of 15 years said the stoppage was about standing up for newer workers who were receiving inferior pay and conditions despite performing identical work. Another said conditions had been steadily whittled away since South32 was spun out of BHP in 2015.
A South32 spokesperson said the company continued to engage constructively with staff and noted a range of worker benefits beyond base pay. The spokesperson said the existing short-term benefit policy would continue under Alcoa's ownership, which had been communicated to staff and unions. "We want to find ways to address issues they may have while ensuring our operation remains sustainable," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the company had plans in place to support ongoing operations at Worsley Alumina during this time and did not expect any impact on its operations.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The strike could disrupt production at one of the world's largest alumina refineries as it prepares to change ownership.
- The dispute underscores worker concerns about pay and conditions during corporate takeovers in the resources sector.
- The outcome may shape how Alcoa approaches workforce relations after the acquisition.
Background
South32's Worsley Alumina facility, near Perth, is a major bauxite mine and alumina refinery. In July 2026, US-based Alcoa announced a deal worth more than $8 billion to acquire the operation, with completion expected in the first half of 2027. South32 was spun out of BHP in 2015. The current strike is part of ongoing enterprise bargaining negotiations.
Key Perspectives
ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage: said the union remains open to negotiations but South32 has not been in contact since workers rejected its latest offer.
AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney: said the decision to strike was difficult and workers deserve equal pay for equal work at the same location.
South32: said it continues to engage constructively, noted benefits beyond base pay, and assured that the short-term benefit policy would continue under Alcoa.
Anonymous workers: expressed concern over potential loss of discretionary bonuses and said conditions have been eroded since the spinout from BHP.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the 48-hour protected industrial action and whether further strikes are planned.
- The progress of enterprise bargaining negotiations before the Alcoa takeover in 2027.
- How Alcoa approaches workforce relations after the acquisition.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedWorkers at the South32 refinery went on strike as Alcoa’s takeover loomed.Just In: “South32 refinery workers strike as $8b Alcoa takeover looms.”
- SupportedThe Alcoa deal is worth more than $8 billion.Just In: “In July Alcoa announced it would buy South32's major bauxite mine and alumina refinery as part of a deal worth more than $8 billion .”
- SupportedThe union said South32 had not been in contact since workers rejected its latest offer.Just In: “However, we haven't heard from South32 since they had an overwhelming 'no' vote on their latest offer to this workforce.”
- SupportedSouth32 said it continued engaging with staff and did not expect an impact on operations.Just In: “A South32 spokesperson said the company continued to engage constructively with staff”
- SupportedMaintenance staff began a 48-hour strike on Tuesday, seeking improved pay and conditions.Just In: “The strike marked the start of 48 hours of protected industrial action”
- SupportedMore than 100 refinery workers are taking part in the industrial action.Just In: “More than 100 workers from the refinery are taking part in the industrial action.”
- SupportedAlcoa announced in July it would buy South32’s major bauxite mine and alumina refinery.Just In: “In July Alcoa announced it would buy South32's major bauxite mine and alumina refinery”
- SupportedUnions are trying to finalise a renewed enterprise bargaining agreement before ownership changes in the first half of 2027.Just In: “Union representatives are trying to finalise a renewed enterprise bargaining agreement before ownership changes hands in the first half of 2027.”
- SupportedAMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney said the decision to strike was not taken lightly.Just In: “AMWU WA secretary Steve McCartney said the decision to strike was not made lightly.”
- SupportedMcCartney said workers were trying to pay bills, pay off houses and get their children through school.Just In: “"They're like everyone else — they're trying to pay bills, they're trying to pay houses off, they're trying to get kids through school," he said.”
- SupportedUnion representatives said the potential loss of discretionary bonuses could cost workers up to 10 per cent of their wages.Just In: “The union representatives also said the potential loss of discretionary bonuses after the Alcoa takeover could cost workers up to 10 per cent of their wages.”
- SupportedA South32 spokesperson said, “We want to find ways to address issues they may have while ensuring our operation remains sustainable.”Just In: “"We want to find ways to address issues they may have while ensuring our operation remains sustainable," the spokesperson said.”