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Alcoa says alumina steady at Australia plants |
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| AUSTRALIA: July 2, 2002 | ||
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PERTH - Independent contract workers at three Alcoa Inc alumina refineries in Australia returned to work early yesterday after walking off the job last week because they were excluded from a health study, an Alcoa spokesman said.
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Staff workers at the refineries did not participate in the walk off and there was no effect on production from the plants, all in Western Australia, the spokesman said. The refineries supply feed to two Alcoa aluminium smelters in eastern Australia. The contractors were protesting over being excluded from a study into elevated levels of lung cancer and melanoma among alumina workers, the spokesman said. "There was definitely no effect on alumina production," the spokesman said. He said the number of workers who left the refineries was not known, and not all contractors walked out. "They were mainly from the electrical and metal trades areas," the spokesman said. Meanwhile, Alcoa had completed the installation of new equipment aimed at reducing emissions from alumina refineries at Wagerup, Pinjarra and Kwinana to meet stricter government guidelines. The Western Australian state government had demanded the additional measures after complaints about foul odours from the refineries and allegations of severe health problems among the workforce and nearby residents. "We've done everything that was asked of us," the spokesman said. "We believe that we now comply with all of the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection) requirements." Alcoa in late 1999 warned workers at 22 smelters worldwide to seek medical advice because they possibly faced a higher risk of developing bladder or lung cancer than the general population.
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REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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