URGENT UPDATE: The Timber, Furnishing & Textiles Union (TFTU) has issued a scathing critique of the NSW Government’s approach to timber worker support, revealing that the redundancy packages offered are a staggering five times worse than those available to their counterparts in Victoria.
This critical announcement comes as workers across New South Wales grapple with uncertainty following the decision impacting the Great Koala National Park. TFTU’s NSW Secretary, Alison Rudman, emphasized the disparity, stating, “Victoria showed how displaced timber workers should be treated: with dignity and proper support. In NSW, workers are being thrown scraps.”
The union’s condemnation highlights a growing crisis among timber workers, especially in regional areas where many families rely on these jobs. The anxiety is palpable as communities like Heron’s Creek, where 85 mill jobs make up one-third of the local workforce, face potential devastation. Rudman warns, “When you kill the timber industry, you kill the towns. Schools, health services, and small businesses all suffer. The so-called replacement jobs in tourism don’t exist.”
The TFTU has criticized the Labor Government for its lack of transparency, accusing officials of withholding crucial information about the unemployment support scheme. “Instead, the Government hides behind press releases and spin while workers face unemployment,” Rudman added.
Workers in the mid-north coast region are bracing for a harsh reality, with many forced to explain to their families that their jobs may soon vanish. The deep-rooted ties between these jobs and community sustainability are irrefutable, yet the government’s response has been deemed inadequate and dismissive.
The union is urgently calling for the NSW Government to reverse its decision and ensure a fair deal that recognizes the contributions of timber workers and the communities they support. As the situation develops, the TFTU and affected workers are demanding immediate action.
WHAT’S NEXT: The public and industry stakeholders are closely watching how the NSW Government responds to the mounting pressure from the TFTU and the communities impacted. With the timber industry under threat, the urgency for a comprehensive support plan has never been clearer.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds, and consider sharing this critical news to raise awareness of the struggles faced by timber workers in New South Wales.
