Industrial action is likely to escalate as ‘a very unhappy’ Townsville copper refinery workforce is backed into a corner by Glencore, according to a union leader.

ETU (Electrical Trades Union) state organiser Liam Sharkey was commenting after a walkout at the site this morning by members of that union along with the AWU (Australian Workers’ Union) and CFMEU (Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union).

“(The membership) are having to make a decision on the fight for a wage to keep them employed at the plant or they have to look elsewhere for a job, not because they want to, because the wage here will not meet the weekly bills,” he said.

He said further industrial action was likely to be discussed next week, when union members would decide on the next steps.

Related: Refinery workers down tools in Glencore pay dispute

Glencore has expressed disappointment at the unions’ decision to undertake industrial action.

“Glencore has tabled a competitive package which includes a salary increase over four years and we will continue to negotiate in good faith to get an agreement,” a Glencore spokesman said earlier this week.

The company has stated that even with the $600 million government support announced last year, the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville copper refinery continue to lose money due to the continued decline of treatment and refining charges and shortage of available copper concentrates.

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