ASC has presented an offer to the Unions and its members that would provide an average increase of 12% at the commencement of the agreement, with further opportunities for the employees to achieve additional increases through arbitration by the Fair Work Commission.

If supported by the Fair Work Commission, this offer provides the opportunity for employees to achieve their wage position.

ASC continues to negotiate with the Unions and their members despite their rejection of all reasonable offers made by ASC to end this dispute.

The AMWU’s protected industrial action is not currently disrupting the availability of the Collins class submarines to the Royal Australian Navy, nor ASC’s work on Australia’s build and sustainment of conventionally armed, nuclear powered submarines.

ASC has not threatened its workers with dismissal.

ASC is disappointed by the AMWU’s comments regarding its Chief Executive and Managing Director, which are not conducive to bargaining in good faith.

The ASC’s CEO & Managing Director’s salary banding is set and governed by the Australian Remuneration Tribunal, which is independent of ASC.

In response to the AMWU’s statement to the media:

Quote attributable to Mr Stuart Whiley, Managing Director & CEO. ASC Pty Ltd:

‘I have complete trust in my Executive Team’s ability to undertake these negotiations with the AMWU. This is a normal and acceptable position for a large company such as ours. While I do not attend these negotiations, I am fully briefed on the outcomes and will continue to work collaboratively with the Executive Team towards achieving a mutually beneficial outcome for ASC, the AMWU and its members.’

Quote attributable to Mr Bruce Carter, Chairman, ASC Pty Ltd:

‘ASC has negotiated in good faith with the AMWU and its members. ASC’s CEO & Managing Director, Stuart Whiley has the complete confidence and support of the ASC Board in his handling of these negotiations and rejects this personal attack by the AMWU. ASC has adhered to the mandated negotiation process and has been open and proactive in its dealings with the Unions and their members.

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The announcement recognises ASC’s over-35-year experience and expertise as the original builder, and ongoing sustainer of the Collins Class submarine fleet. ASC has demonstrated its unrivalled capability in Australian submarine construction, combat systems integration, testing, commissioning and certification on the Collins Class program.

ASC has successfully established and developed ‘green field’ submarine construction and sustainment capability through growing and retaining a highly skilled workforce; and developing and managing a comprehensive domestic and international supply chain.

Today, ASC holds the highest concentration of submarine expertise in the nation and it is well positioned to deliver on the Australian Government’s nuclear-submarine program requirements.

Sustainment of nuclear-powered submarines

As the Australian Government’s Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner, ASC will sustain the nation’s nuclear-powered submarines in Australia, including visiting US and UK submarines, Australia’s sovereign Virginia Class submarines, and Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines which will be built at Osborne in South Australia.

In the near term, ASC will provide sustainment for visiting US and UK submarines at Garden Island, Western Australia. This work will commence with a rotational presence of US and UK nuclear-powered submarines. In the interim, ASC personnel will undergo Virginia Class sustainment training, including on-the-job training deployments to the Pearl Harbor shipyard in Hawaii from late 2024.

As Australia acquires its sovereign Virginia Class submarines, ASC will integrate Virginia Class sustainment with its existing Collins Class submarine sustainment program to deliver consistent submarine availability to the Royal Australian Navy. ASC will also be responsible for sustaining the SSN-AUKUS submarines, including their short-term, medium-term and deep-cycle maintenance.

Build of SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines

ASC and BAE Systems have been selected as the Sovereign Submarine Build Partners and will collaborate to form an incorporated joint venture to construct the SSN-AUKUS submarines at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia.

Work on the first submarine is scheduled to be underway before the end of this decade, with delivery to the Royal Australian Navy from the early 2040s.

The collaboration between ASC and BAE Systems will be integral to the success of the nuclear-powered submarine program and will ensure that Australia establishes a strong sovereign submarine building capability for the future. ASC looks forward to working with BAE Systems to deliver this history making program.

ASC will establish new company entities and a physical presence in both the UK and the US to facilitate its AUKUS partner collaborations.

Opportunities for suppliers and job seekers

The nuclear-powered submarine program will be the biggest industrial undertaking Australia has ever embarked upon, both in scale and technical complexity. Accordingly, there will be many opportunities for prospective Australian suppliers and skilled employees to become involved in the program.

ASC looks forward to working with its current and future supply chain partners, and the Australian workforce to execute these programs. Potential suppliers and appropriately skilled workers who aspire to participate in the nuclear-powered submarine program can register their interest at: asc.com.au/aukus.

Photo courtesy of BAE Systems

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A retired metallurgist and program leader who served as the Defence Science and Technology Group’s (DSTG) Chief, Strategy and Program Division and Chief, Maritime Division, Dr Cocking brings a deep knowledge of submarines and associated platforms, gained through a career spanning more than four decades.

ASC Chairman Bruce Carter said Dr Cocking was an outstanding addition to the ASC Board.

“Dr Cocking was involved in developing the Royal Australian Navy’s current fleet of Collins Class submarines, which ASC built and maintains – work for which she received an Institute of Public Administration Centenary Medal.

“Her in-depth knowledge and insight will be invaluable.”

Dr Cocking is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, and a former board member of the Australian Maritime College. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in Australia’s 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her contributions to defence science and technology. In 2019, the DSTG created the Janis Cocking Award for Leadership, in recognition of her contribution to the defence sector.

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ASC is providing university students with experience working on practical, cutting-edge projects for potential use in Australia’s Collins Class submarine program.

The partnership also gives students an insight into the many engineering and technical job opportunities within Australia’s submarine workforce, advances their studies, and supports the transition from university to industry.

Two projects underway include a study of specialised exoskeletons, and the development of advanced heat exchanger technology.

Exoskeletons have future workforce applications where robotics are not viable. The use of exoskeletons would assist employees’ movements, improve safety and reduce the likelihood of injury.

A novel heat exchanger technology is also being tested and verified, called ‘tube dimpling’. This technique seeks to create a more efficient heat exchange to keep the submarine cool.   

ASC is providing in-kind support, including project supervisors and subject matter experts, together with funding as required.

ASC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Whiley, said the partnership is mutually beneficial.

“ASC is working with Honours students on a number of innovative projects that could be refined and implemented on the Collins Class submarine program,” Mr Whiley said.

“Honours students gain access to our experienced engineers, who work on the Collins Class submarine program every day and are providing advice and guidance to help them refine their projects and skills.

“As we continue the maintenance of the Collins Class fleet and prepare for its Life of Type Extension, it’s crucial we continue to attract more engineers to the defence industry.

“That’s why ASC’s partnerships with tertiary institutions and secondary schools are so important. These activities will ensure the next generation of students are aware of the long-term job opportunities in defence.” 

Associate Professor Craig Priest, Professorial Lead at UniSA’s Future Industries Institute, says industry-based projects are transformational for students.

“The students gain unique skills, experiences, networks, and opportunities that make UniSA graduates work-ready and in high-demand,” Associate Professor Craig Priest said.

“UniSA welcomes ASC’s shared commitment to outstanding industry-based learning.” 

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Breakthrough experiments conducted at ASC’s deep submarine maintenance facility in Adelaide have demonstrated how electrically charged surface coatings can eliminate marine bio-fouling, or sea organism growth, potentially improving the operation and maintenance of naval vessels.

The research, led by experts from Flinders University with partners ASC, the University of South Australia and the Department of Defence, is funded by the South Australian Defence Innovation Partnership program and aims to develop practical applications that could end the scourge of marine bio-fouling, which costs billions each year worldwide.

Flinders University’s Professor Mats Andersson, Director of Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology, said the latest inspections of the samples showed the research was performing exceptionally well.

“Our tests have shown that fouling can be significantly reduced and, in some cases, completely eliminated on surfaces that are coated with a conducting paint, and subject to electrochemical stress,” said Professor Andersson.

“To be honest, we are surprised that it works so well. As far as we know, there isn’t a lot of this research being done around the world and while our research is specific to the Port River in Adelaide, it could be applied to any surface that is submerged in the ocean.”

The so called ‘active anti-fouling’ experiments have tested a range of materials, coatings and electrical cycles, comparing them against non-electrically stressed samples.

ASC, which maintains and upgrades Australia’s Collins Class submarine fleet, is supporting the innovative research by providing advice, laboratory and wharf facilities for submerging the samples.

ASC Principal Development Engineer – Materials, Mikael Johansson, said marine bio-fouling caused obstructions to key areas of the hull that were time consuming and expensive to clear.

“Warships and submarines use sea water in the cooling systems of propulsion and weapons systems – even air conditioning. Making sure the inlet valves, which let that water in, don’t become clogged with marine life, is a priority,” said Mr Johansson.

“This research could lead to protecting various parts of the Collins Class submarine hulls, leading to fewer interruptions to naval operations and less maintenance.”

It has been estimated that clearing marine bio-fouling costs billions of dollars each year for shipping companies and navies worldwide. A fully developed ‘biofouling community’ growing on a ship’s hull, can cause up to 40 per cent more fuel consumption, due to the additional hull drag and poor manoeuvrability.

The research program is being funded with the assistance of $150,000 from the South Australian Defence Innovation Partnership, supported by the South Australian Government and the Department of Defence.

The Defence Innovation Partnership has activated promising innovations in South Australia’s defence sector since 2018. The program received almost $10 million in additional funding, over the next four years, in the South Australian budget in June this year.

Researchers from the University of South Australia are providing expert advice and samples for coating materials.

To learn more about this breakthrough anti-fouling research, please visit https://bit.ly/3ybOOp6.

Pictured below are members of the research team from ASC and Flinders University, examining the samples on ASC’s Port River wharf.

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“At ASC we are building on our programs that support and embrace diversity at all levels. We want to ensure every employee is empowered to reach their full potential, and that every potential employee feels confident in the support they can expect from us as a future employer,” said Mr Whiley.

ASC supports a diverse workforce through an inclusive culture and policies that give employees choice around work-life balance, family planning and leave options that allow staff to meet their responsibilities outside of work. These include 24 weeks’ parental leave for the main carer and 12 days for the secondary carer, together with options for non-production staff to work from home up to two days a week.

“At ASC we encourage women to chase their dreams and pursue careers in all areas of our business. These opportunities range from production roles to positions in design, technical engineering, corporate support, safety, environment, supply, logistics and more,” said Mr Whiley.

ASC’s first female apprentice, Debbie Spence, qualified as a mechanical tradesperson in 2007 and went on to become a production Team Lead. She said returning to work after having her second child, now aged two, was supported by ASC’s inclusive policies.

“I wanted to get back into a production area in a leadership role, and ASC was helpful in terms of flexible work hours, part-time hours, so that I could get back to doing what I loved – being on the shop floor, on the tools,” said Ms Spence, who juggles work and family life with her partner Steve, who is also an ASC employee.

Ms Spence has progressed through the company and is currently in a leadership role working part time – three days a week – on the Collins Class submarines full-cycle docking maintenance as boat superintendent (acting).

ASC will continue its important role maintaining and upgrading the Collins Class submarines for years to come. As defence sector projects ramp up, so too will the demand for skilled, specialised employees, intensifying the need to attract and retain more women into these specialised roles.

ASC has experienced increases in its number of women employees in recent years, and is determined to lift these through its focused diversity strategy.

The company will celebrate International Women’s Day with an employee event on Wednesday, featuring Rabia Siddique, a sought-after public speaker, author, hostage survivor, successful business woman and mother-of-three. ASC’s employees – which number more than 1,300 across South Australia and Western Australia – will attend the lunchtime event in person in WA or virtually via video link in SA.

ENDS

More information: Rebecca Horton, Senior Communications Adviser, (08) 9410 4113

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