Three hundred coal mineworkers at Centennial's Myuna Colliery are calling on Origin CEO Frank Calabria to save their jobs and continue to buy coal for Eraring Power Station locally until its closure in 2029.
Thousands of workers, families and community members have so far signed a petition directed at Mr Calabria; and unions representing Myuna workers are gearing up for a week of action to save 300 direct jobs and a further 1800 jobs in the supply chain and community the mine supports.
Despite Origin's announcement that Eraring will now stay open until 2029, the clock is ticking for its captured coal mine Myuna; which only has a coal supply contract until March. Workers are expecting to start losing their jobs in the weeks ahead if no new contract is secured.
The Mining and Energy Union (MEU), Collieries Staff and Officials Association (CSOA), Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) and Electrical Trades Union (ETU) say workers at the site are anxious about their jobs and angry that Origin is overlooking the coal mine that was built to supply the power station.
MEU Northern Mining and NSW District President Robin Williams said Myuna had no alternative market to Eraring Power Station:
"Myuna Colliery exists for one purpose only, to supply coal directly to Eraring Power Station via a dedicated conveyor system. It cannot sell coal to other power stations or export.
"If Origin chooses not to purchase coal from Myuna, the mine must close and these well-paying local jobs will be lost. Frank Calabria must put a stop to this ruthless, community-wrecking approach."
AMWU NSW Secretary Brad Pidgeon said Origin's decision to abandon Myuna now would rob workers of the chance to access co-ordinated transition support.
"The Net Zero Economy Authority has recently wrapped up its consultation for workers affected by the future closure of Eraring. This timing robs Myuna workers of the opportunity to receive co-ordinated transition support.
"It's a low blow that makes a mockery of Origin's claims to provide workers with a fair transition."
CSOA Director Robert Coluccio said Myuna workers were victims of a privatised, profit-driven energy system.
"Origin is trying to milk more profits out of Eraring Power Station in its final years of operation by chasing cheaper coal from further afield, but the workers and local communities who have hosted and fuelled the power station for generations will pay a heavy price.
"This is not an unavoidable consequence of the energy transition. It is a commercial decision by Origin, who made a $1.5 billion profit last year."
ETU NSW Secretary Allen Hicks said that Frank Calabria and the Origin board should not underestimate the level of community anger the needless closure of Myuna would generate.
"Eraring needs coal until 2029. Origin's refusal to sign a fair supply contract robs Myuna workers of over three years of on-going employment at Myuna, the opportunity for transition support and potential redeployment to Newstan Colliery in 2029.
"We hope the whole community will get behind the Myuna workforce and our message to energy giant Origin that local workers deserve a fair go."
Myuna workers will spend this week canvassing local businesses to raise awareness of the potential local impact if the mine shuts prematurely.
