The coal giant says bottlenecks at Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal, where more than 50 ships are waiting to be loaded, has caused a growing coal stockpile at its Bundoora operation, near Clermont.

CFMEU Rockhampton district vice president Glenn Power told International Longwall News the timing of the job cuts would have big impacts on the sacked miners.

“Anglo have just filled 20 positions at the Grasstree mine prior to this announcement so there won’t be jobs for them there,” he said.

“They are also going to make workers vacate their houses in Middlemount, which is an issue for the families and children who still have the end of the school year to finish in these towns.

“They should have waited until the end of the year at least ... they haven’t taken into consideration that there’s families who live there and rely on these jobs,” Power said.

Anglo Coal said the possibility of reduced manning levels was discussed with all employees upon their commencement at Bundoora in 2006.

“Mining of the current longwall panel will be completed by September 30, and subsequent operations will be determined based on the needs of the business and the coal market at the time,” a spokesperson said.

“Based on current operational requirements, 53 positions comprising mining technicians, tradespeople roles and staff roles would be affected. The operation would be reduced to 48 personnel from September 30, 2007.”

Bundoora employees may apply for voluntary redundancy or apply for positions at other mines within the Anglo Coal Australia group.

“Should employees leave the company through redundancy they will receive all entitlements that are due, a redundancy payment that is in excess of industry standards,” the spokesperson said.

“Professional advice will be available to employees to assist with financial planning and moving into an alternate career or retirement.

“This is a regrettable situation and we hope to minimise as much as possible the impact on our employees.”