The Newcastle arm of the meatworkers union says Coles has let down locals, with its decision to cut 1,500 jobs from its meat departments across Australia.
The union believes 200 people will be impacted in the Hunter.
“We are hoping that a lot of these people get picked up by the local butcher shop, and people will go and support the local butcher shop, who will in turn go and employ apprentices and train apprentices up and keep those skills going.” – Justin Smith, AMIEU.
Coles disputes that number, and says some staff have been offered redundancy packages, as well as the option to move into other departments.
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