22 January 2014 Attention: General and Political reporters 116 jobs slashed at Ergon, ETU slams decision Further

cuts take total jobs lost to beyond 1600 across electricity industry The Electrical Trades Union accused the Newman Government of abandoning its permanent workers in favour of contractors as it prepares Ergon for sell off. ETU State Organiser Stuart Traill described the Ergon decision as disgraceful and questioned its motives, they are arguing that the cuts are needed to reduce upward pressure on electricity prices, yet with the latest cuts they have slashed 1600 jobs in the last two years while Queenslanders have been slugged with a record 22.6% increase and a proposed 13% increase from July Mr Traill also asked where Ergons $434M profit has gone. The 35% increase in profits certainly hasnt gone into infrastructure or to reduce the skyrocketing price of electricity, and now they are sacking more staff.Mr Traill said. The jobs facing the axe include a 54% reduction in design positions from 105 to 48. The cuts come despite Ergon arguing consistently that design work must go to contact due to lack of internal capacity. They come in and tell us all the time they dont have staff then they cut more jobs, while the workload wont drop by 54%. They are gutting permanent positions in favour of more expensive contractors; this is a philosophical not economic decision by the Government. This is Privatisation by stealth through outsourcing The ETU has serious concerns as we get further into the storm season that we dont have the electricity workers to respond and prevent increased outage times, you cant sack 1600 workers and expect the same level of services to the customers of Queensland, this is a further betrayal of the voters in this State Yet again we have a Government devoid of ideas, imposing headcounts and job cuts on essential services that will do nothing to reduce the ever- increasing cost impost of skyrocketing prices. This is a classic pre asset sales agenda, reduce the staff numbers and prepare for sell-off We will be fighting this latest betrayal and we ask the Queensland community to join us and hold this Government to account, the first chance to do so will be for the people of Redcliffe to put the LNP last in the upcoming by-election It is clear the LNPs plan for Queensland is to sell off our assets, which will lead to higher costs, inferior service, fewer jobs and overseas profits, dont reward them for lies and failure For further information please contact Stuart Traill ETU State Organiser 0488 225 625, Andrew Irvine Media Enquiries 0448 633 858