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Tuesday, 02 December 2008

Power workers strike over sell-off

29/08/2008 5:15:00 PM.  | Heidi Tiltins

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About 1500 electricity workers have walked off the job, angry at the Government's electricity sell-off.

Call centre workers and staff from the retailers Energy Australia, Integral Energy and Country Energy have announced a snap strike, walking off the job until Monday.

They are furious about the government's alternative electricity sell-off which will see the three retailers privatised.

The United Services Union's Ben Kruse has told Philip Clark the Premier has shown contempt for workers and the public by not allowing his plan to go to a vote.

"We saw the government introduce legislation to privatise the industry into parliament, realise that they didn't have the numbers to get it through and pull the plug on the legislation.

"Now they decide that they're going to slice one slice off the salami, the retail part of the industry, and privatise it administratively."

"Since the government pulled the legislation from the house yesterday there has been no discussion with the unions and our members are furious at the lack of consultation."

Premier Morris Iemma earlier announced no jobs would be lost under the privatisation package.

The workers have decided to strike until Monday, when they will reassess the way forward in another meeting.

COMMENTS

Friday, 29 August 2008

Get used to it NSW, call centre workers jobs will go offshore, as did Victoria's, to India. 15000 jobs lost here. The Latrobe Valley the hardest hit, went from a booming economy to a depressed area, and are still struggling with it. Sell your electricity to foreign interests, NSW will go the way of SA and Vic. O'Farrel will have no choice either, as Kennett didnt. Your credit rating is getting worse, and to get out of debt, they will sell you off. Labors Legacy.

Posted by: susan lawe, gippsland

 
 

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