Defining parameters of cooperation within Future Submarine Programme

At Pacific 2017, Naval Group Australia, the designer and builder of Australia’s twelve future submarines, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Australian Workers Union, the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union, and the Professionals Australia.

The Future Submarine Programme (FSP) will be a critical component of Australia’s national security and sovereignty for decades and is the largest defence capital investment programme in Australia’s history. It is a project of immense economic and national security significance. As such, the MoU defines the principles that will govern how the parties will work together in order to deliver the future submarine capability for the Royal Australian Navy on time and on budget. It specifies that organisations will engage in open discussions to identify opportunities relating to the planning development and delivery of the FSP, whilst developing, extending and protecting the Australian workforce.

“Naval Group is committed to establishing an enduring, productive and globally competitive workplace relations framework that will form the basis for our Future Submarine operations in Australia,” said Brent Clark, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Naval Group Australia. “The construction of the Future Submarines in Australia will create a sustainable maritime industry, bolster the Australian economy for generations to come and create certainty for the many hundreds of Australian suppliers who will be involved in the FSP”.

The MoU also indicates how Naval Group will consult with unions, universities, TAFE and Registered Training Organisations to develop the skills of the workforce required for the programme which is expected to create 2,900 Australian jobs.

AV