Major win for Torrens Island power plant workers losing their jobs
The Fair Work Commission has handed down a first-of-its-kind order for workers at AGL’s Port Adelaide power station that is set to close in 2028.
AGL was ordered this week to implement a series of assistance measures for the more than 100 power plant workers at its Torrens Island power station in Port Adelaide, once it closes in mid-2028.
The Fair Work Commission’s decision was the first-ever order requiring a major energy employer to provide support for workers facing job losses from the closure of a power plant, according to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
AGL’s Torrens Island site is SA’s largest power station and produces electricity from four gas-fired power units at Power Station B, which was built in 1976. It is scheduled to close on June 30, 2028.
In 2023, AGL switched on a 250 MW battery storage system at Torrens Island. At the time of its launch, it was the state’s largest and the second-largest in Australia.
“More than 100 workers at Torrens Island have helped to power our country for decades,” ACTU president Michelle O’Neil said.
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“They deserve every support to land on their feet.”
The Fair Work Commission order required AGL to provide additional support for workers, in line with the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) Act, which placed obligations on employers.
This included retraining, counselling, financial advice and a pooled redeployment process offering workers opportunities to land new jobs.
An AGL spokesperson said the company was “committed to supporting our people who are impacted by the retirement of our energy assets including our large thermal power stations like Torrens”.
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“We have engaged extensively with the NZEA through this process and will continue to do so as we plan for the closure of Torrens Island B Station in June 2028,” the spokesperson said.
“AGL disagrees with the points made by the NZEA in its application to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a community of interest determination and refute any suggestion that our transition commitments are vague.
“AGL’s approach to workforce transition is comprehensive and includes individual transition plans and working with partner organisations across government and education sectors to create training and upskilling opportunities for our people.
“Assisting our employees to be future fit is part of our broader transformation strategy, and we are focused on supporting our employees to be resilient, adaptable and equipped to successfully navigate the changing energy industry landscape.”
Australian Unions would commence negotiations with AGL on the exact set of supports required by its Torrens Island workforce.
“We look forward to seeing unions on site, led by the ASU, to 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,” O’Neil said.
Australian Services Union assistant national secretary Scott Cowen said it was a “landmark case for Australia”.
“Before today, AGL’s supports were completely inadequate,” Cowen said.
“The Fair Work Commission’s findings 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.”
