Celebrating AWU Heroes: Winter 2026

Dave looks back on 40 years at Portland Alcoa

After 40 years on the job at Alcoa Portland, Dave has hung up his boots at the smelter he helped built – but has a few words of advice for the next generation of workers!

Dave joined the workforce on the very first day, first on the construction team and then in the potlines. He was elected crew delegate shortly after he started, and served as assistant site delegate for 20 years. Since the start, he’s been involved in bargaining and has seen his fair share of changes. “We were under the aluminium industry award at first, then went into enterprise bargaining,” he explains. “In the first EBA, I was part of the committee. We’ve seen shift rosters change, annualised salaries come in, changes to our classifications.”

Safety has improved significantly, but working at Portland isn’t for the faint of heart. “Turnover was high. We had one operator last four hours! I was driving a crane and didn’t even get to meet him.” Dave said the relationship has also changed between workers and management. “In the early years, we had a good relationship with Alcoa and they supported the union. But in the last ten years, they’ve totally changed. It’s definitely impacted how we negotiate.”

The latest agreement saw workers on the grass for the first time ever. “Every time an EBA came around, Alcoa cried poor. But this time, the price of aluminium was up, and we could do better,” Dave explains. “We knew we’d squeeze what we could.”

Dave is also a proud dad to three sons at Portland Alcoa. His middle son is already a delegate and he says it’s great to see the next generation coming through. His advice for all members is to encourage outspoken workmates to step up. “Being a delegate isn’t for a person that’s quiet,” he adds. “If you’re willing to speak up and push the issues you get thrown at you, then give it a go.” Congratulations on 40 years, Dave, and we hope you enjoy your retirement!

Dave and his sons at delegates training in Portland

Delegates step up to save Liberty Bell Bay!

The AWU’s effort to save over 200 jobs at Liberty Bell Bay in Tasmania wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of AWU delegates who went above and beyond after the smelter was put into voluntary administration in March.

Their efforts included door-knocking across George Town to raise awareness, hosting a community forum, leading a rally in the centre of town, speaking to media, and even taking the fight to the halls of Parliament in Canberra.

AWU delegate John, who started at Liberty Bell Bay in 1988, says it was unlike anything he’d ever seen before. “When I asked for volunteers to go door-knocking, to my surprise, over half said yes!” He says. “And you know what, 85% of the doors I knocked on had some relationship to the smelter. Everyone was so supportive.”

His fellow delegate, Jason, said the community forum packed out the local hall. “I didn’t expect that many people to turn up, but the community really got behind us,” he says. “There wasn’t room to sit down!” Both John and Jason also joined a union delegation to Parliament, speaking directly with Federal Ministers about the importance of Liberty Bell Bay.

“None of us had been to Parliament before,” John says. “It was a real eye-opener, but we got fantastic support. Most of the MP’s were behind us, and they’ve since come through for us.”

With funding announced by state and federal governments, workers’ wages are secured throughout the sales process, expected to run until August. A year of uncertainty has taken a heavy toll on the workforce, with members constantly wondering if their next pay check was still coming.

“Everyone relies on their wages. We’ve got a real mix of members, some young, some with kids, some just bought their first house and others upgrading. I’ve fielded a lot of phone calls of people struggling,” Jason says. “Some handle it differently, some can’t handle it at all.”

With news of a buyer, things are finally starting to look up. “We’ve been living in a tunnel for the last 12 months, and just starting to see a little bit of light,” John explains. Jason agrees. “People saying the union don’t do much have opened their eyes. I think the AWU will be a lot stronger going forward and have a lot more to say.” Thank you both for your incredible work in Bell Bay!

The Bell Bay Joint Unions take on Parliament

Dan stands strong in Whyalla

The Whyalla Steelworks has suffered a turbulent 18 months, but delegates like Dan have been putting in the hard yards to hold the workforce together. Dan followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the BHP Steelworks in 1980. Four years later he joined the AWU, and became a delegate. “When I started, the steelworks had close to 5000 workers,” Dan remembers. “The schools opened their gates, the steelworks opened theirs, and we filed out of one into the other.”

Looking out for hundreds of workers during the second administration in ten years is a daunting task, but Dan is up for the challenge. He’s used to fielding questions from his workmates and keeps workers on the same page.“We just make sure everyone is sticking to the EBA,” he explains. “Rumours are rife, everywhere you go. You have to quiet down the rumour-mongers and make sure you’ve checked your email, had things handed to you in writing.”

Negotiating a new Enterprise Agreement during administration is another tough ask Dan took on. “Things have definitely changed over the years. Negotiations used to be done and dusted in a day, but a recent EBA took 14 months.” After several rounds of bargaining, workers voted up a 10% pay increase over two years, thanks to Dan’s nerves of steel at the bargaining table. “It was welcomed. People wanted a raise and we hadn’t had one in a while.”

Dan reckons that with a new buyer, Whyalla has a bright future. After 46 years, he says a major challenge is identifying new delegates to come on board. “A lot of people love to get on their keyboards, but won’t stand in front of people. The position isn’t something they feel they want.”

But he says that the union will support every delegate, and encourages members to come forward and give it a go. “The union is well-organised, the training courses are spot-on. The tools will be given to you – you just have to find the courage to step up and use your voice.” Thank you, Dan, for your 46 years of dedication at Whyalla!