Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union president Peter Jordan fears for the future of the 450 current Downer workers when the Idemitsu-owned mine changes operators to BGC on December 1. 

Workers have been told they will need to re-apply for their jobs, sparking uncertainty for staff and their families who may now consider leaving Boggabri and Gunnedah to follow work with Downer elsewhere.

While Mr Jordan fears workers could be fly-in fly-out (FIFO) when the Western Australian-owned company BGC Company takes over operations, BGC CEO Greg Heylen said “that most of the workforce currently employed at Boggabri by Downer will continue to work at the mine with BGC if they wish to apply and are successful in their application”.

Mr Jordan said Idemitsu has provided “no certainty to Downer employees that they’ll still have a job”.

“The union’s position is that Idemitsu and and BGC should offer all current employees a guarantee offer of employment and if that employee doesn’t want to stay, then that’s up to them,” he said.

Mr Jordan said fly-in fly-out work arrangements were not an option.

“The union has made it very clear that under no circumstances, there is fly-in fly-out arrangements with Idemitsu or BGC. 

“The current workforce at Downer are local residents and employees. That’s what we expect.”

Mr Jordan feared the changeover could leave a hole in the local economy if current Downer employees moved away.

“That’s a real worry,” Mr Jordan said.

“The sooner they get out there and reassure (workers) they have a job, the better.

“The bottom line is, if they want a job, they should be given one.”