Landmark ruling orders AGL to support closing power plant workers

The Fair Work Commission has made its first ever order requiring a major energy employer to provide support for workers facing job losses from the closure of a power plant.

The AGL-owned gas-fired Torrens Island power station in Port Adelaide is due to close in the middle of 2028.

The Fair Work Commission ordered AGL to put in place a series of assistance measures for its more than 100 Torrens Island power plant workers to help them transition to new jobs.

The order follows an application by the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) seeking to improve the level of support AGL planned to offer workers at the Torrens Island power plant.

The Fair Work Commission order requires AGL to put more support in place for the Torrens Island power workers, in line with the NZEA’s mandate to safeguard workers’ interests in the net zero energy transition.

The NZEA Act places obligations on employers closing power plants to provide support, including retraining, counselling, financial advice and a pooled redeployment process offering workers opportunities to land new jobs.

Australian Unions will now begin negotiations with AGL on the exact set of supports required by its Torrens Island workforce.

Quotes attributable to ACTU President, Michele O’Neil:

“This – first ever – order by the Fair Work Commission is important in signaling to employers that they have a role to play in ensuring that no one gets left behind in the net zero energy transition.

“More than 100 workers at Torrens Island have helped to power our country for decades. They deserve every support to land on their feet.

“Now the Fair Work Commission has agreed that AGL needs to do more to support these workers in a landmark decision.

“We look forward to seeing unions on site, led by the ASU negotiate a strong agreement with AGL outlining the exact supports required by the Torrens Island workers in the remaining time before the plant’s closure in mid-2028.”

Quotes attributable to ASU Assistant National Secretary, Scott Cowen:

“This is a landmark case for Australia and a major development in the fight for ASU members to secure a genuine Just Transition for AGL workers at Torrens Island Power Station, where no worker is left behind.

“Before today, AGL’s supports were completely inadequate. The Fair Work Commission’s finding means we now have a real chance to get the tailored career advice, retraining, and support needed to secure jobs with comparable pay and conditions for our members.

“This is what active industry policy looks like. The NZEA is acting as a critical circuit breaker, forcing a company that has benefited from privatisation to provide for its workforce.

“The ASU will work constructively with AGL to ensure all workers seeking to transition are given the support and opportunities they deserve.”