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Henderson jobs in limbo: union

Football fans were encouraged to do their bit to save Australia's shipbuilding industry as tradesmen from across the region took their campaign to Domain Stadium on Sunday.

Australian Manufacturing Workers Union delegate Jon Primrose said more than a dozen workers from Rockingham and further afield canvassed fans before the Western Derby, in a bid to raise awareness of the uncertain future of Australian shipbuilding.

The BAE Systems leading-hand boilermaker said hundreds of WA jobs could go at the shipbuilders' Henderson yard if South Australian shipbuilding contracts went overseas.

He said the anti-ship missile defence program at BAE Systems, which involves maintenance work on Royal Australian Navy vessels, was due to finish in 2017 and there was concern jobs may be cut.

"We want to push as hard as we can to make the Government make the right decision about awarding contracts to Australian companies," he said.

"I've got two kids and a wife and sending contracts offshore could affect hundreds of workers from all over the Perth metro area.

"I want my kids to have the opportunity to work in the industry."

An AMWU spokesman said up to 1000 blue and white collar jobs at BAE Systems and Australian Submarine Corporation at Henderson could be at risk.

He said he hoped potential projects would be brought forward to ensure job security.

A BAE Systems spokeswoman said the company had two active requests for tender for shipbuilding projects.

She said the award dates were some months after the anticipated completion of ASMD.

"We are advocating for shipbuilding work to be brought forward as a matter of urgency," she said.