Workers, including non-contract day shift workers, gathered at Victoria Park and marched through the town centre on their way to Lawson Park where they were addressed by union organisers.

Marchers were encouraged by clapping from bystanders and motorists blowing their horns as they marched and chanted “Ulan Coal, no soul”.

The march, on both footpaths of Church Street and at the corner of Mortimer Street took over half of the roadway up with continued chanting “Xstrata’s my name and greed is my game”.

Wayne McAndrew, South West District President of the Miners Union addressed the marchers on arrival at Lawson Park and said the retrenched workers had support from fellow miners in Australia and from as far afield as England and South Africa.

“This is an extremely troubling and important time for all miners, not just those who have been retrenched,” Mr McAndrew said.

“This is not just about the union and its members, it is also about the community who will feel the impact of these redundancies.”

Despite failing to resolve the issue with FairWork Australia on Monday, McAndrew said the Union would not spare any resources to sort out the Ulan problem.

“It is important not only to the retrenched workers, but also to all who work in the industry,” he said.

Mr McAndrew said there shouldn’t have been any redundancies at Ulan.

“The coal mining industry is doing very well thank you,” he said.

“This company is one of the most profitable in this country.

“Last year Ulan mine made $330 million and is on track to record more than $150 million profit this year.

“There is no reason to make forced redundancies at this mine.

“The other added issue, which is a test issue for all mine workers, is that these workers are going to be replaced by outside contractors.

“It is an issue that those jobs should remain with those people who have them now and the Union will challenge that issue.

“The next step is that the Union will be challenging the redundancies on the basis they are not true redundancies.

“This will be the first case of its kind to go before FairWork Australia.

“We will support you (the redundant workers) until we get a successful resolution.”

Union Secretary Andrew Honeysett said these were the first redundancies he could remember in 24 years working at the mine.

Mr McAndrew met privately with the 16 retrenched permanent full-time workers after the rally ended.

He described them as young people but added that doesn’t lessen the impact of being made redundant.