Uncertainty continues for Bundaberg electricity workers as the Palaszczuk Labor Government refuses to come clean on how many jobs it plans to cut through the proposed Energex and Ergon merger.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said Energy Minister Mark Bailey danced around the topic in Parliament this week when asked to guarantee workers’ jobs were safe.
“Workers are in limbo because the Labor member refuses to come clean with their real plan to slash jobs and relocate workers contrary to their election promises,” Mr Bennett said.
“With new jobs figures showing the region’s unemployment rate continues to rise and 34,000 jobs have been lost state-wide under Labor, we simply cannot afford this betrayal which will affect 60 local Ergon workers and their families.
“We all remember the political campaign that was run in Bundaberg and the promises that were made…It is clear Labor will say one thing before an election and within one year do the complete opposite.
“It’s not fair on the hard working Energex and Ergon staff that the local Labor Government member continues to keep them in the dark for months about if and where their jobs will be cut after the merger.
“Enough is enough. After months of uncertainty, it’s time for the local Labor member to face the workers and outline her government’s cruel plan.”
Mr Bennett said Labor had publicly maintained for months that jobs for workers at state-owned electricity companies would be safe, but they have refused to keep that promise.
“Labor must be held to the commitment they made to protect frontline workers and guarantee they won’t be relocated or out of a job,” he said.
ENDS.
19 February 2016