AGL to Slash SA Workforce

In yet another indictment of the privatisation of South Australia’s electricity industry AGL have today advised their SA based employees of their plans to cut 200 jobs or over 50% of their SA based workforce over the next 12 months. A number of jobs will be going as soon as October.

This is another blow to workers in the industry who have seen hundreds of jobs cut since privatisation and it is devastating news for AGL employees who are already struggling to make ends meet in the face of higher interest rates and fuel prices.

"All that will be left of AGL's operation in South Australia is their call centre and we know how secure those types of jobs are" said ASU Branch Secretary Andy Dennard. " Of course AGL will give us the spin that this is good news for its South Australian customers, and will lead to 'efficiencies' and 'better service', but of course experience tells us this is all about making ever larger profits with needs of AGL customers and its employees coming a distant second. You don't improve customer service by slashing over 50% of your workforce".

The ASU will be meeting with members at AGL (many of whom have worked in the industry all their life) next week to discuss what can be done to help them through this difficult time. We will be calling upon Energy Minister Patrick Conlon to refer this matter to the Energy Regulator to assess what it really means for SA and will also be holding discussions with the Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education about what assistance the Government can give to those employees who are losing their jobs.