Govt Sell out: Energy workers strike

Date: 29 August 2008

Energy workers across NSW have walked off the job this afternoon to protest the Government's decision to sell off retailers in the power industry.

The action comes in response to Morris Iemma's blatant disregard for the political process after the bill to privatise power was overwhelming defeated in parliament yesterday.

"The Government has no respect for the workers, the community or the parliamentary process," said Ben Kruse, Secretary of the USU.

"The Government's new proposal gives no employment protections to workers and it is understandable they would want to walk," he continued.

Mr Kruse said the action was not unexpected given the government decided to make an example of the retailers and sell them off.

As many as 1500 workers have walked off the job this afternoon. Hardest hit will be regional and rural workers from Port Macquarie, Bathurst, Western Sydney and Queanbeyan and the high number of female retail workers in regional areas.

"Iemma has been backed into a corner and decided he is happy to sacrifice retail workers instead of making a sensible reassessment of his policies.

Workers will be off the job until Monday morning and another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 2 September.

For more information, please contact Ben Kruse on 0419 623 984 or Claire Johnston on 0414 764 480

DOORSTOP: 4.45pm back of NSW Parliament House.

For further information

Contact:	Ben Kruse
Union:	United Services Union
Phone:	(02) 9265 8211
Email:	support@usu.org.au
WWW:	http://www.usu.org.au

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