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The Advertiser
7 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Mayor's plea: don't let the clock run out on Lake in Eraring closure
Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said. Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz wants direct government intervention to soften the $4.5 billion hit to the city's economy when Eraring power station closes. Cr Shultz has called an extraordinary council meeting for Monday to lobby the government for support before the closure of the power station, slated in two years, takes about 1800 jobs and $4.5 billion out of the local economy. He said the loss of a generational employer would have long-lasting effects on the region and could be devastating for the local economy if not handled properly. "Local businesses are really going to feel an impact, and hence why the federal government needs to step in and provide that additional support," Cr Shultz said. "We have been doing a lot as a local council to put Lake Macquarie on the map, but in terms of the structure shift in our economy - it is happening. And we are really imploring the federal government to come and provide that assistance." Eraring is the largest coal-fired power station in the country. Combined with its auxiliary industries, it employs almost 2000 workers and accounts for about 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. While Origin Energy had supported its direct workforce through its transition, Cr Shultz said Lake Macquarie was "imploring" the federal and state government to deliver for the region to ease the inevitable tear of displaced workers The energy workers' union, which is also lobbying the federal government's Net Zero Economy Authority for support, said its members were facing an existential crisis as the sector lurched towards its sunset. "Transition support from employers has been patchy, and many workers are unsure where they'll find new jobs once the power station closes," Mining and Energy Union general secretary Grahame Kelly told the Newcastle Herald. "We know from experience that poorly managed industry closures leave long-lasting scars on workers, families and whole communities. The Albanese government's Net Zero Economy Authority is a real opportunity to do things differently and meet its commitment of leaving no one behind in the energy transition." The federal government has consulted on an energy industry jobs plan to support workers and local economies reliant on large employers. The government has said the plan would provide career planning, training and financial advice to workers, as well as paid time off to attend interviews and engage with new employers and unions. Cr Shultz said he would like to see support, particularly around Lake Macquarie, to repurpose disused mining and energy land to assist the industrial shift. "There are potentially hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs on some old mining sites and energy areas that have produced good, stable employment for generations," he said. "They could be repurposed to provide new jobs in the future and attract those new businesses." Mr Kelly said Eraring's closure should set the standard for the national energy sector's decarbonisation, and give workers confidence they they would not be abandoned. "We want Eraring to set an example," he said. "The (authority) has the power to apply an energy industry jobs plan to the Eraring closure. That would create a structured, enforceable framework for supporting workers at Origin and the many contractors and suppliers who keep the power station running." Lake Macquarie City Council will convene its extraordinary meeting on Monday, July 14, in which Cr Shultz will call a vote that the council will lobby the Net Zero Economy Authority to bring its jobs plan to the region. "If we have the Net Zero Economy Authority here, working on Eraring, then they get a first-hand look at what is next for Lake Macquarie," he said.
ABC News
08-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Metropolitan Mine workers rally as lockout enters its third week
More than 100 workers have rallied outside an underground New South Wales coal mine as a lockout by owner Peabody enters its third week. About 160 permanent employees have been locked out without pay from the Metropolitan Mine in Helensburgh since June 18, following protected industrial action over wage negotiations. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) and Peabody are at loggerheads over enterprise agreement (EA) bargaining and met with the Fair Work Commissioner on Tuesday. The industrial action in June included work bans on training and wide-load removals as well as shift stoppages, and saw the US-owned mining company respond with its own protected action — a lockout. The mine is continuing operations with non-union workers and contractors. John and Blake are a father and son working at the mine: John a miner of 30 years, and Blake joining the mine four years ago. Blake said the lockout had placed his family under financial strain. "I'd say everyone here wants to go back to work," he said. Another long-time miner, Phillip James Jordan, said workers deserved a better deal than their current EA. "We work 500 metres underground, we work in toxic and explosive gases, we breathe diesel particulates every day … it's not really a minimum wage environment," he said. The lockout is due to end on Wednesday evening, but has previously been extended. It was lifted briefly on July 3 but reinstated less than 24 hours later, after the union took a seven-hour shift stoppage and recommenced work bans on training and wide-load removals. Another miner, David, said the uncertainty was the hardest thing. "It's really hard not knowing what's happening from week to week. I've got a mortgage and a family, so it's tough," he said. Peabody's vice-president of underground operations, Mike Carter, has staunchly defended the company's use of the lockout. "We cannot run a mine safely and productively with these stoppages," he said in a statement. "Metropolitan Coal remains fully committed to ongoing, good-faith negotiations with its workers and repeats its offer to stop lockout action if the MEU ends its industrial action. "We remain hopeful of reaching an agreement that secures a sustainable future for our mine and our local community." The MEU and Peabody met with the Fair Work Commissioner on Tuesday for a conciliation meeting to try to resolve the dispute. The union said it would lodge a claim for a 15 per cent wage increase over three years, a one-off market rate increase of $1.50 per hour, plus a $4 increase to crib payments, as well as a job security clause. "These guys are the lowest paid miners in the district … the increases we're chasing are just to bring them up across three years to be comparable with other mines," MEU district vice-president Mark Jenkins said. Mr Carter said Peabody had offered an increase of 13 per cent. The MEU is calling for the use of lockouts to be banned. "I think the duration of the lockout response to our industrial action is unreasonable," Mr Jenkins said. The Australian Council of Trade Unions has been pushing for the practice to be outlawed and backed the MEU, calling the Metropolitan lockout "disproportionate". The ongoing dispute comes at a time of instability for the region's mining operations, with just three of four mines in the region operational. The fourth, nearby Tahmoor Mine, ceased operations in February after its owner, GFG Alliance, failed to pay outstanding debts. In 2024, Wollongong Resources announced its two mines in the area, Russell Vale and Wongawilli, would be permanently closed.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Miners locked out of work over pay dispute
About 160 coal miners have been locked out of work for more than one week without pay over a bargaining dispute with their employer. The Mining and Energy Union (MEU) allege US-owned Peabody Energy retaliated after union members at the Helensburg coal mine near Wollongong in NSW stopped work for one hour in response to a 'lack of progress in negotiations.' The union was advised its members would be locked out without pay for eight days from Wednesday less than two hours after a meeting with the Fair Work Commission over the dispute. Miners asked for three pay increases of 5 per cent over a three-year period and an extra $1.50 added to their hourly rate, after miners were allegedly told they would be looked after when they received a low increase under their last agreement. MEU South West District vice president Mark Jenkins said Peabody's lockout was a harsh response aimed at coercing MEU members into giving up their bargaining position. Mr Jenkins said workers had experienced several years of low wage growth compared to high inflation and cost of living pressures, but had continually set production records at the mine for their employer. 'Now, they deserve to see some of the benefit that they were promised in the last agreement,' he said. 'Peabody's move to lock out MEU members for over a week is nothing but an attempt to punish and intimidate workers for exercising their industrial rights.' Peabody Energy have been contacted for comment, but they told the ABC the company implemented employer response action from Wednesday until next Thursday. 'Peabody remains committed to the bargaining process and will continue to negotiate in good faith toward a new enterprise agreement,' a spokesman told the ABC. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data
ABC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Peabody coal mine workers locked out in wages dispute
Workers from an underground New South Wales coal mine are facing a lockout after taking limited industrial action over wage negotiations. About 160 permanent employees were locked out without pay from Wednesday this week to Thursday next week at the Metropolitan Mine in Helensburgh. The Mining and Energy Union said it would lodge a claim for a 15 per cent wage increase over three years, a one-off market rate increase of $1.50 per hour, plus a $4 increase to crib payments. The president of the union's NSW South West District, Mark Jenkins, said mine owner Peabody was punishing workers for exercising their industrial rights as they sought to negotiate a new enterprise agreement. "The workers enacted their industrial right and took some limited one-hour stoppages across their shifts," he said. Mr Jenkins said there was no warning. "We went into a bargaining meeting with the company on the day of the lockout and found out probably about an hour and 45 minutes after the bargaining meeting that the lockout was taking place," Mr Jenkins said. A Peabody spokesperson said Metropolitan Mine acknowledged that employees had engaged in industrial action, and the union had notified the company of further industrial action to come. "In response, Peabody implemented employer response action, with a lockout of employees commencing night shift Wednesday, 18 June and continuing until day shift Thursday, 26 June," the spokesperson said. The action follows a Federal Court decision last year ruling that 22 Peabody Energy crew members unjustly lost their jobs before being replaced by external contractors at the same mine in June 2020. The court found that replacing full-time employees with labour hire did not constitute "genuine redundancies". The lockout comes at a time when the nearby Tahmoor mine is also under pressure, but for a different reason, as the mine hasn't mined coal since February due to unpaid bills. About 560 mineworkers are still being paid but have been stripped of their regular bonuses. They are increasingly anxious about whether the mine, owned by British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta, and linked to the Whyalla steelworks, will reopen. Independent Member for Wollondilly Judy Hannan said this week the state government was monitoring and negotiating with the mine's owner GFG Alliance. The union has called for the state government to intervene.
The Age
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
‘Time for tough decisions': CFMEU boss Zach Smith steps down from national leadership
CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith will step down as head of the troubled union's construction arm to focus on the Victorian branch, saying he can no longer answer for decisions taken by others. Since the scandal-plagued construction workers' union was placed in administration nine months ago, Smith has served dual roles as national secretary and secretary of the union's Victorian and Tasmanian branch. In a statement posted to social media on Thursday, Smith noted he was first appointed as head of the Victorian branch before the union entered administration, 'with the support of our former leaders'. 'It's time for tough decisions. I've concluded I cannot do justice to both roles,' he said. 'I have also decided that while I am willing to take responsibility for decisions I make, I cannot be asked to take responsibility for decisions that are not mine.' He said he had advised administrator Mark Irving, KC, that we would step back from his national secretary duties on the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. 'My full commitment now lies with the members in Victoria and Tasmania, where I believe I can have the greatest impact for the future of the union,' he said. 'Let me be clear. I believe the union will get through this not because it's easy but because we must, we've survived two deregistrations, we will survive this.
