A survey conducted for Unions New South Wales shows 85 per cent of people in the state are opposed to the privatisation of the electricity sector.
Unions NSW secretary John Robertson says the survey found 96 per cent of the 1,011 respondents feared the State Government’s plan would push electricity costs higher, while 85 per cent were concerned jobs would go.
The results have been released as the union movement prepares to launch a campaign against the Government’s plan to sell off the electricity retailers and lease the state’s power generators.
Mr Robertson says delegates from across the state will meet in Sydney today to formally reject the plan.
"I’m confident we’ll be able to run a very effective campaign that puts pressure on the Government to think again," he said.
But Energy Minister Ian Macdonald is urging the unions to remain calm about the issue.
"I hope that over the next six weeks or so, we can have a further dialogue with the unions and other stakeholders that is free from over-the-top reactions," he said.
The unions are worried power prices will rise and jobs will be sent overseas if the sector is privatised.
Premier Morris Iemma says he is not concerned by the unions’ action.
"They are entitled to raise their issues and their questions, and the Government responds," he said.