This week, BlueScope CEO Paul O’Malley announced the company had two options when it came to Port Kembla – cut out $200million, including 500 jobs – or close the gates.

Branding these ‘‘ultimatums as ‘‘an example of corporate greed and arrogance’’, union representatives criticised BlueScope’s outlook.

‘‘BlueScope wants us to choose between sacrificing 500 Illawarra families and 5000. Why? Because $136million in profits is not enough for their shareholders,’’ said Australian Workers’ Union Port Kembla branch secretary Wayne Phillips.

“The bosses’ Plan A and Plan B are not a plan for saving our industry, they are self-serving strategies to shut it down.”

South Coast Labour Council secretary Arthur Rorris said the unions supported a third option – improving governments’ steel procurement policies and pushing for strong anti-dumping measures.

One of the biggest problems for BlueScope is China’s dumping of large amounts of steel in the world market at prices the Port Kembla steelmaker cannot match.

“There is an international steel crisis and governments around the world have taken emergency measures to stop illegal steel dumping,’’ Mr Rorris said.

‘‘Just this week, South Africa, has imposed a 10per cent import tariff on dumped imported steel and directed its government enterprises to use locally made steel.

‘‘In response the steelmaker has agreed to cap profits and steel prices. 

“What action is our federal government taking in Australia? Do we have to wait for the shutdown of the steel industry before government acts?’’