The Electrical Trades Union has welcomed a pledge by Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams that she will fight against any forced job cuts at Essential Energy, amidst news more jobs will go.
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On July 3 Mrs Williams told local media she has made it "crystal clear that she will not tolerate any forced job losses at Essential Energy in Port Macquarie".
"This morning I have spoken directly to the Deputy Premier's office and made it very clear that I will not stand by and see one Essential Energy employee forced out of a position in Port Macquarie," she said.
"I have made it clear to the Deputy Premier's Office and I have asked them to put a halt on this process."
Mrs Williams' intervention comes as Essential Energy reveals cuts to workers would be even deeper than originally reported.
The company has confirmed 182 jobs will now be axed.
It was first thought 165 jobs would go from the electricity distributor.
A spokesperson for Essential Energy confirmed on July 4 "71 field and 111 non-field positions" would go.
"It's important to note that a final figure will be determined through the consultation process, which is not based on location," the spokesperson said.
The Secretary of the ETU Justin Page welcomed what he described as Mrs Williams' "outspoken support" for local workers and offered to meet with the MP to outline a range of alternate options that he said could prevent forced redundancies.
"Our members, who have been devastated by the news of these cuts, were greatly heartened to see members of the NSW Government demanding a halt to these cuts and the protection of regional jobs," Mr Page said.
"We stand ready and willing to work with Mrs Williams and any of her Nationals colleagues who want to join the campaign against the further decimation of regional jobs and services at Essential Energy."
A current employee of Essential Energy in Port Macquarie who did not want to be named said morale was low and staff were "terrified".
Some staff have questioned financial management of the Buller Street upgrade in Port Macquarie.
An ex-employee of Essential Energy described the Buller Street refurbishment as "unnecessary and insulting to those employees who are losing their jobs", and questioned the breakdown of the project's costs.