Premier Coal cuts a blow to Collie as transition pressures hit sooner than planned

The Mining and Energy Union has warned that job cuts at Premier Coal are a serious blow to Collie workers and the local community, and highlight the urgent need to turn transition commitments into real jobs on the ground.

Premier Coal has confirmed it will reduce production and cut jobs at its Collie mine, with around 100 workers set to lose their jobs.

MEU WA District Secretary Greg Busson said workers in transition industries had been promised certainty, planning and support and deserved to see those commitments delivered, not just discussed.

“Workers in coal and power have been told for years there would be a planned and orderly transition,” Mr Busson said.

“What we are seeing now is that transition starting to bite sooner than expected, and communities like Collie are being hit with the consequences.”

Mr Busson – himself a local - said the immediate priority was supporting affected workers and working with stakeholders to smooth the impacts wherever possible.

“We’ll be on the ground with our members through this process, fighting for the best outcomes for every worker affected,” he said

The union welcomed the WA Government’s commitment to support workers and said it would work constructively with both the Cook Government and the Federal Government to ensure the transition is delivered as promised.

“We welcome the Premier’s support and we’ll be working closely with state and federal governments to make sure this transition happens the right way,” Mr Busson said.

“That means real redeployment pathways, real investment, and real jobs, not just promises and plans.”

Mr Busson said the announcement underscored the urgent need to accelerate new industry development in Collie and for governments to move quickly beyond consultation into delivery.

“This is exactly why we’ve been calling for new industries and investment in Collie now, not years down the track,” he said.

“Collie is often held up as an example of transition being done well, but especially from a federal perspective we haven’t seen enough delivered on the ground,” Mr Busson said.

“There have been plenty of meetings. Now workers need to see outcomes.”

“This also highlights the need for urgency of action through the Collie Basin consolidation taskforce. They must act to mitigate impact without delay.”

“These taskforces, plans and policies were set up to ensure communities like Collie are not left behind. Now is the time to deliver something real.”

“The workers and the community of Collie have powered Western Australia for generations. They deserve a future that is secure, planned and fair.”