Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union
State Labor MPs are being urged to meet with representatives of the thousands of Victorian timber workers facing potential job losses due to the Andrews Government’s plan to end the native forest industry.
Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union National Secretary Michael O’Connor yesterday wrote to all Victorian Labor MPs asking for their advocacy within caucus to achieve an alternate restructure of the industry that delivers a just transition for impacted workers and timber communities.
“Unlike previous forestry industry restructures delivered by Labor Governments this plan does not provide workers and communities with a fighting chance to transition or leave the industry with dignity,” Mr O’Connor wrote.
“We are disappointed to say that it is a very ‘un-Labor like’ response to the challenges facing the industry and does not represent a viable nor realistic plan in our view.”
Mr O’Connor highlighted major flaws with the industry restructure, including the potential impact on jobs on the Australian Paper mill at Maryvale, which is the largest private sector employer in Gippsland.
“The rigidness of the plan leaves the workers’ jobs it is meant to secure vulnerable to factors outside of the Government’s control,” he wrote.
“For example, if there is a major bushfire which damages the resource or a drought before 2030 which stifles plantation growth rates it will leave the transition plan in tatters.”
Mr O’Connor wrote to Premier Daniel Andrews a month ago outlining the union’s concerns with the practicality, workability and fairness of the policy and requesting a meeting.
“To date, we are yet to receive a briefing from the Department responsible for the implementation of the Government’s plan nor have we received an acknowledgement or response from the Premier’s office to our request for a meeting,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This demonstrates a lack of respect, concern and professionalism on the part of the government.”
The union said that while Victorian timber workers, their families and communities are doing it tough as they prepare for Christmas this year, a restructure of the industry that delivered a just transition for workers was still possible with the support of Labor MPs.
“It is important that workers know that there are MPs in the Labor caucus who they can rely on to represent their interests,” Mr O’Connor said.
/Public Release.
