Company vows support for employees amid transition
Mining giant Alcoa Inc revealed on Monday its plans to fully curtail its Kwinana Alumina Refinery in Western Australia this year, which is expected to impact hundreds of employees.
Alcoa said in a statement that the process will commence in the second quarter, with the company to downsize its workforce from around 800 to approximately 250 by the third quarter.
The numbers will continue getting reduced to roughly 50, according to the company, citing certain processes that will continue until about the third quarter of 2025.
"Today's curtailment decision comes only after thorough and careful deliberation, and we acknowledge that this action will impact workers, business partners, and the community," said Matt Reed, Alcoa's Executive Vice President and Chief Operations, in a statement.
Ensure worker support
Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King has expressed disappointment over Alcoa's recent decision.
In a statement, King said her thoughts will be with employees and families who are severely affected by the decision.
"I expect that Alcoa will do everything it can to ensure workers affected and their families receive all the support they need during this difficult time, and I will hold them to account on this," King said.
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Reed previously assured that affected employees will be supported in their transition to other opportunities.
According to Reed, the support includes potential redeployment within Alcoa or assistance to facilitate employment at other workplaces.
"We deeply appreciate the commitment and support of our many loyal employees, contractors, and suppliers at our Kwinana refinery, which has made a major contribution to Western Australia’s economic development over the last 60 years of continual operation," Reed said.
Support from Western Australia
Meanwhile, the government of Western Australia said the move will not only affect employees, but also 250 contractors.
Premier Roger Cook called the situation a "very disappointing outcome," while calling on Alcoa to support the workforce.
According to the WA government, it will coordinate with Alcoa to explore additional support options for the displaced employees.
The Rockingham Jobs and Skills Centre is ready to work with the organisation to support affected employees in upskilling and finding other jobs, the government said.
It added that a South Metropolitan TAFE team is on standby to assist workers with free career and training advice.
"Our Jobs and Skills Centres offer free services for jobseekers, from job-matching to training and career advice - and we have specialist local staff on standby to assist displaced workers," McGurk said.