The ASU says the closure of the Hazelwood Power Station and Mine is a sad day for the Latrobe Valley.
>> Click here to read this on the ASU Victorian & Tasmanian A&S Branch website
The ASU is saddened by the Engie announcement that the Hazelwood Power Station will close in March 2017, and is mindful of the huge impact this will have on the employment and family life of the Hazelwood workers.
The ASU is also upset that - as happened at Port Augusta in South Australia – there was only four months’ notice given to assist these workers and their families in this time of community crisis. A much longer notice period would have allowed unions, employers and governments more time to deal with this significant loss of jobs.
The ASU will ensure (over the next few months) that workers and their families are treated fairly and with dignity. The Latrobe Valley community has provided Victoria with reliable power for decades and now is the time to look after it. Unions, employers and federal and state governments need to ensure that Hazelwood workers are retained, re-employed, re-trained or, in the last instance, retrenched with fairness and dignity.
Governments must encourage infrastructure investment and investment in renewable technology in the Latrobe Valley so this highly skilled workforce can be employed for the betterment of their families and the community.
We acknowledge the work already undertaken by the Latrobe Valley Cabinet Taskforce - chaired by the Premier Daniel Andrews - and welcome the establishment of the Latrobe Valley Authority. The ASU has members in local government, water authorities, social and community services and other power stations. The impending closure of Hazelwood affects all of our members in the community and their families, not just those who work at Hazelwood.
The ASU will play its part in assisting employees and call on employers and the federal government to step up to ensure justice for Latrobe Valley Power workers.
Quotes attributable to Richard Duffy, ASU Victorian Branch Secretary
“The ASU is saddened by the announcement that Hazelwood will be shut down in March 2017, but calls upon the good will of unions, employers and state and federal governments to do everything in their power to assist the Hazelwood workers and their families”.
“We must ensure that Hazelwood workers are either retained, re-employed, re-trained or, in the last instance, retrenched with fairness and dignity”.
“Governments must encourage infrastructure investment and investment in renewable technology in the Latrobe Valley, so this highly-skilled workforce can be employed for the betterment of their families and the community”.
“The Latrobe Valley has provided cheap and reliable power to Victoria for decades. It is now up to Victorians to repay this service by ensuring a just transition for these workers and their families”.
>> Click here to read this on the ASU Victorian & Tasmanian A&S Branch website