Australia's steel union is planning to increase pressure on the Federal Government in the lead-up to the ALP national conference on July 30 amid the threat of overseas competition.
Steel procurement policy is expected to be high on the agenda at the conference, with the union claiming the Government has done little so far in response to the Australian Workers' Union Steel Plan, launched in April.
Unions have this week increased their protectionist push leading up to the conference after revelations over the redevelopment of the Carlton Football Club's Princes Park stadium in Melbourne, partly funded by the Victorian State Government. The project is using cheap Chinese steel rather than Australian product.
SLIDESHOW: Port Kembla No 5 blast furnace reline winds upAustralian Workers' Union Port Kembla branch secretary Andy Gillespie said although the problem was less of a concern in the Illawarra, the continued use of imported steel in major projects around the country made workers "pretty cynical about the Federal Government's policies".
"This issue is going to be high on the agenda at the national conference," Mr Gillespie said.
Mr Gillespie yesterday phoned senior representatives of the union, based in Victoria, to see what could be done.
Australian Workers' Union national secretary Paul Howes expressed concern that taxpayers' money was being sent overseas when Australian steel jobs were under threat.
There is speculation in some circles that the Federal Government may use the conference to announce a support package in response to the Australian Workers' Union Steel Plan.
In recent weeks union heavyweights and government officials have been discussing ways to help the ailing sector.
On releasing the steel plan, the union warned that up to 500,000 Australian jobs could be lost if the Federal Government failed to support the industry.
Industry Minister Kim Carr recently told the Mercury the Government was considering the steel plan but any action would need to comply with World Trade Organisation rules.
A moderate rise in demand for BlueScope Steel product last week led to the company announcing it would restart its No 5 blast furnace.
But the unions and BlueScope warn there is a long way to go before output increases to pre-recession levels.
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