“THE reality is cuts set in, we’ve all lost 20 per cent of our wage to keep the steel industry here going”.
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George Papaconstantinos, a Port Kembla steelworker of more than 35 years, is one of the human faces of the ongoing fight to ensure Australian steelmaking continues.
Hundreds of steelworkers have lost their jobs as part of BlueScope Steel’s $200 million in cost cuts to keep its Port Kembla plant operational.
Those who remain, including Mr Papaconstantinos, have taken pay cuts.
The steelworks might remain open but the fight to save the country’s steel industry isn’t yet won – a message conveyed to senators during a community “Save Our Steel” rally on Friday.
The rally, ahead of the Senate steel inquiry’s visit to Wollongong, reiterated earlier pleas for politicians to do more to help the ailing industry.
“It's very important that you use Australian steel,” Mr Papaconstantinos said.
“This Liberal government of NSW should be hanging their head in shame for not supporting the jobs that they say they create; a lot of it is just bulls--t, it’s just figures.”
Senators, including independents Jacqui Lambie and Nick Xenophon, attended the rally, a move instilling a little more confidence in those at the coalface of the steel industry.
I’ve always believed the independent senators are our best bet [because] they’re not party-aligned, they don’t take s--t.
- Port Kembla steelworker, George Papaconstantinos.
“I’m a little bit more hopeful,” Mr Papaconstantinos said after hearing the crossbench senators’ positions.
“I’ve always believed the independent senators are our best bet [because] they’re not party-aligned, they don’t take s--t … and they’re quite strong in what they believe in.”
During the rally, the steelworker spoke one-on-one with Senator Lambie and said to her “you have to fix the 457 visa issue”.
Mr Papaconstantinos told the Mercury he didn’t have a problem with 457 visas – which allow skilled workers to come to Australia and work for up to four years – provided they were used correctly.
“They were meant as a temporary measure and both governments need to understand [that]. They do understand but they just play politics,” he said, citing an increasing number of visa holders were applying for permanent residency and competing with Australians for manufacturing jobs.
