Horizon Power cuts staff

Rural network provider Horizon Power has in part blamed a downturn in the economy for the company’s decision to reduce its number of electrical linesmen by 28 per cent.

Horizon Power managing director Frank Tudor said in a statement today a combination of factors had resulted in its planned reduction in linesmen from 42 to 30 by the end of November.

“We have recently implemented a new asset management system which has identified a more targeted and reduced work program,” Mr Tudor said.

“This new system, together with issues associated with the economic downturn, has necessitated a review of our distribution workforce.”

Today's announcement is in addition to 240 staff redundancies announced last November.

The new job cuts are set to affect five linesmen in Kununurra, four in Broome and three in the Esperance region.

Linesmen in the Mid West and in the Pilbara will not be affected.

Mr Tudor said Horizon would review redeployment and retraining opportunities before making people redundant.

Last year, Horizon announced it would make up to 240 staff redundant as part of a major overhaul of its business.

Since then, 186 positions have been made redundant, mostly from the Perth administration centre.

After both announcements, Mr Tudor said Horizon would continue to provide a safe and reliable power supply.