Unions want plan for coal power workers

Unions are calling for a new independent body and a national plan to help workers transition from the coal-fired electricity sector.

Ahead of a conference on the issue in Canberra on Thursday, the ACTU said an independent statutory authority to manage redeployment schemes, pre-closure retraining and early retirement arrangements was urgently needed.

"Either we leave it to the moguls of the market to make decisions about people's lives when closing existing emissions intensive plants, or the Turnbull government can step up to ensure that the challenges and opportunities of transitioning the industry are shared equally across the nation," ACTU president Ged Kearney said.