'A lot of emotion:' First round of redundancies to hit Whyalla steelworks

The first of more than 250 workers to accept redundancies at the Whyalla steelworks will finish up this week — but those who want to stay are still facing an anxious wait.

The permanent closure of the blast furnace last month will reduce the plant's direct workforce from 1,700 to 1,200, while at least another 300 contractor roles will also be affected.

Australian Workers' Union organiser Shane Karger said he expected about 270 direct employees to accept "genuine redundancies" by the end of this month.

The first group of those will exit by this Friday.

Mr Karger said following that, voluntary redundancies and early retirement scheme applications would be processed.

Genuine redundancy occurs when a worker's role is no longer required, for example, those who were working at the blast furnace.

He said voluntary redundancies would go to workers in departments that would reduce their numbers but not shut down entirely.

Mr Karger said the final number of redundancies should be known by November.

"[That] will then sort out how many positions are up for redeployment," he said.

Even for those who stay on, it is unclear what the future will look like.

The steelworks has been in administration since early last year, with the announcement of a buyer expected by the end of 2026.

Mr Karger said unions have been working with administrators KordaMentha to make the process as fast and smooth as possible.

"There's been a lot of emotion," he said.

"There's those that are young, they've got a mortgage … they're now thinking 'what the hell am I going to do now?'"

"You've got other workers that are looking forward to a well-earned rest after a very long career at the steelworks."

Several contractors have confirmed to the ABC that they have already laid off staff, with more than one closing down entirely.

'I haven't felt secure'

Jack Taylor, 30, has done manual labour at the steelworks for 10 years but will clock off for the final time this week.

His was one of the roles being cut and he has opted not to apply for redeployment, instead accepting a redundancy.

"It was a big decision to make," he said.

"I own my house here in Whyalla so going for redeployment [would have] meant I'd have a chance of keeping a job, having income coming in."

Mr Taylor said years of uncertainty over the future of the steelworks had taken a toll.

"The whole time I've been there … I haven't really felt secure,"

he said.

"We've been through administration two times.

"I'm just a bit over all of it, to be honest."

He plans to apply for fly-in-fly-out jobs in the mining sector, and hopes to stay in Whyalla.

"I've got my family, the footy club, all my friends and that here," he said.