The CFMEU says around 160 workers at the Hunter River remediation site will be out of a job before Christmas.
The area is being dredged to clear a channel for access to the new coal loader on Kooragang.
The CFMEU says work there has dried up, but argues the mostly casual labour force should be retained.
BHP Billiton however, which is financing the work, says while the first stage is nearly finished, it’s planning to bring the workers back onboard for the second stage, due to start in the new year.
