WORKERS at the Wallerawang power station are fearful they may be the latest casualties in the forecast job losses hitting the Central West.
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Australian Workers Union western region organiser Alan Haynes said he has a meeting scheduled for tomorrow morning at 10.30am with one of the plant’s major contractors and the news is not going to be good.
Mr Haynes said workers at the power station, which was bought by Energy Australia in July this year, have told him that they have been advised that the plant will more than likely close.
He said that on top of the marked closures for Simplot, Electrolux and Downer EDI, things were definitely looking grim for the region.
“The contractor that employs a lot of our members will have something to say after the meeting on Wednesday but I can tell you now people believe that place is going to close.”
Mr Haynes said workers he had spoken with were very angry at both Energy Australia and the government.
“Energy Australia gave a commitment that people’s jobs at the power station would be there for at least four years,” he said.
“That was less than six months ago.”
Mr Haynes said he had not had any conversations with Energy Australia bosses.
“I haven’t contacted them and they haven’t contacted me. A lot of people have tried to contact them but haven’t heard anything.”
Calare MP John Cobb said he hoped to be in the Lithgow area later this week and while he is naturally concerned when there is talk of job losses in the electorate, he is not expecting this to be the case any time soon for Wallerawang power station employees.
“I do know that the executives of the power mob have not made any decisions regarding the power station. I’ve spoken to them in the last 24 hours and no decision whatsoever has been made, they are still doing their review.”
Mr Cobb said he was confident the four-year promise to workers would be honoured by Energy Australia.
“I think the company is well aware of their commitment and if they were to close they would still have to pay wages for that four-year period.”
Mr Cobb said he was not expecting any outcomes to be revealed by Energy Australia this week but he would keep a close eye on the situation.