Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union WA secretary Gary Wood also told the West Australian that the mine was continuing to operate with reduced numbers and a smaller fleet.
Last week Carna Civil and Mining terminated the mine operating contract it had with Indian owner Lanco Infratech and reportedly removed all of its heavy earthmovers from the site.
“It came after months of strained relations between Carna and Griffin when the mine was shut down three times, interrupting supply to big industrial customers,” the newspaper reported.
“The resulting uncertainty has left Collie, the hub of coal-fired electricity generation in WA, in limbo.
“Last week The Victoria Hotel closed for good and Collie's long-running Toyota dealership shut down last month.”
According to the ABC on Friday, Griffin executive general manager David Trench said the mine’s 300 employees would be reinstated with Griffin on the same pay and conditions.
"The actual arrangements we had in place maintain the continuity of employment contracts and [enterprise bargaining agreements] and we, in consultation with the unions, have maintained that status quo," he reportedly said.
Trench said Griffin could still operate the mine despite the loss of Carna’s machinery.
Wood also said that at least 50 jobs could go.
"Carna's position is there's around about 224 positions that are available and with some of those there's still disagreement about the transfer," he reportedly said.
"We're obviously seeking to increase the number of people who transfer their employment but at this point in time there's looking to be around about 50 to 60 people who will not be given an opportunity to continue employment."
Carna did not comment in either media report.
Indian conglomerate Lanco acquired the Griffin assets, a key part of former coal tycoon Ric Stowe’s failed business empire, in 2011.
In June it finally received state government approval to develop a $500 million export facility at Bunbury which would allow it to ramp up production to 15 million tonnes per annum.
