Communities Pay For Coal Price Cuts
Illawarra Mercury
Monday December 28, 1998
I agree with your Opinion (MercuryAE Dec 22) on the pain of coal price cuts. It is now more expensive to buy a tonne of firewood or topsoil than it is our coal.
Our people have borne the brunt of industry restructuring giving the owners greater flexibility and profits.
You are right when you say it will flow on to our communities in the form of job losses.
The Big Australian has already indicated to our national union executive it will not be changing conditions as it has conditions it desires, thanks to Mr Reith. Instead it will be looking at cutting jobs and take-home pay.
The effect on our communities will be like throwing a stone in a still pond; eventually the ripples touch everyone - fewer jobs, not as much money in the packet, businesses suffer in the community. Businesses in turn stand down employees ... and so the cycles goes on.
- DERRICK PETERS, secretary, Cordeaux Lodge.
© 1998 Illawarra Mercury