It also called for the support of Anglo American’s proposed controversial Drayton South coal mine extension in the Hunter Valley which it said would create employment for local mine workers.

CFMEU Northern Mining and NSW Energy district president Peter Jordan said members unanimously passed a resolution expressing their disappointment at the Labor Councillors’ decision.

“Our members feel abandoned by Labor’s decision to play politics with their jobs,” he said.

“Here in the Hunter region coal mining has been a critical industry which has provided good, permanent jobs for local people for many generations.

“Our region is suffering an employment crisis. The rate of unemployment has doubled in the past four years alone. Now more than ever we need the new jobs in our region that mines like Drayton South will generate.

“This decision is only going to cause disunity and we’re urging all Labor representatives on the Newcastle City Council to reverse it immediately.”

Regardless of the attempts of anti-coal activists, the coal mining industry will remain an integral part of the economic and social fabric of the region for decades to come, the union said.

“As members of a progressive union that is affiliated to the Australian Labor Party we are particularly offended by the fact that the decision recently taken by Newcastle Labor councillors was made without consultation with our union and without any apparent regard for our member’s interests and wellbeing,” the union said.

“One matter that should always differentiate the Australian Labor Party from the Greens political party is a proper regard and respect for the working class Australians who form the core of the Labor Party’s support base. However, the recent decision of the Newcastle City Council is an example of self-indulgent, gesture-politics that puts working class people last.”

Earlier this week, Newcastle Council resolved to call for the state government to help establish a Hunter Future Jobs Taskforce.

The Lock the Gate Alliance NSW spokeswoman Georgina Woods said it fully supports the initiative, and "hopes the NSW government has sufficient foresight and common sense to act quickly on it".