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Category: States and Territories / Unions / Business, Economics and Finance / Industry / Electricity Energy and Utilities

Vic Govt reveals 'Australian first' plan to redeploy sacked Hazelwood workers

Friday, 10 Mar 2017 08:16:09

The Hazelwood power station will close at the end of March. (ABC News: Nicole Asher)

About 150 "highly skilled" Hazelwood power station workers will be able to transfer to other electricity generators after the Victorian coal-fired plant closes in the coming weeks, the State Government says.

Premier Daniel Andrews said a $20 million scheme would help the workers move to employers such as nearby Loy Yang A and Loy Yang B, which are run by AGL.

The Government said early retirement packages would be offered to eligible staff to create vacancies for the transferring workers.

Last year the French owner of Hazelwood, ENGIE, announced it would close the power plant at the end of this month, because it was no longer economically viable.

About 450 employees and 300 contractors work at the plant.

Mr Andrews said the deal was "the first of its kind" in Australia.

"This was really important to get this done before Hazelwood closed so that we can give, to at least 150 workers, the certainty and the confidence that they need that their jobs are safe, their contribution is valued," he said.

Scheme will have 'national implications': AGL

Doug Jackson from AGL said it was a "landmark" outcome.

"It's new, it's innovative, it's an opportunity, we think, that recognises the skills and experience of a very experienced workforce," he said.

"Our industry, as you know, is in a transformation. It's transitioning. How we learn to do it here will have implications for us as a nation."

At the time of the announcement, ENGIE said about 250 workers would remain until 2023 to manage the site's rehabilitation.

Funding for the transfers will come out of the $256 million rescue package set aside to help the Latrobe Valley cope with the loss of the power station.

Mr Andrews praised the cooperation between the unions, power companies and the workforce during negotiations, which were led by former federal Labor frontbencher Simon Crean.

AustraliaPlus


 

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