Who: AWU Acting Tasmanian Branch Secretary Robert Flanagan
When: 1:30pm today (Thursday, 8 February 2024)
Where: AWU Tasmania, 1/332-334 Main Road, Glenorchy
Contact: Robert Flanagan 0438 344 740 / Anil Lambert 0416 426 722
AWU Acting Tasmanian Branch Secretary Robert Flanagan:
“Workers at the mine have been blindsided by this news. After the purchase of new gear to improve efficiency on site, the expectations had been that a buyer would be found to continue operations.
“The collapse in the global nickel price has been the key factor here and it is devastating for the workers at the Avebury mine, all of whom left secure employment to take on roles at the mine. These workers expected jobs at the Avebury mine would be secure, long-term roles.
“The AWU is on site today meeting with members to identify concerns and provide assistance.
“The AWU has had preliminary discussions with the receiver last night, and those discussions will continue. A considerable concern for the workforce is the payment they will receive at terminations given most have only been on site for period of one or two years.”
