Michael O’Connor CFMEU
The timber workers’ union has raised the spectre of more than $1 million worth of legal costs owed by a green group trying to destroy timber jobs. CFMEU Manufacturing says the costs are owed by an organisation which continues to attack the livelihoods of timber workers, their families, and communities. Source: Timberbiz
The union has instigated Freedom of Information (FOI) proceedings with VicForests about why costs have not been paid despite the Supreme Court awarding them against My Environment Inc in 2015.
“We think these costs should be paid in full because the court awarded them and it is money which correctly belongs to the community,” National Secretary CFMEU, Manufacturing, Michael O’Connor said.
“The court’s decision should be respected.
“This is money that could be used to benefit the community including by assisting in bushfire preparedness and assisting workers and communities impacted by last summer’s catastrophic fires”
Mr O’Connor rejected any criticism of the pursuit of the outstanding costs.
“Our union will stand up against the attacks on the jobs of our members regardless if the attacks come from big government, big business or in this case, from big environment,” he said.
The union’s intervention comes at a time when legal actions exploiting loopholes in the Code of Practice for Timber Production cripple the timber industry with thousands more timber workers, contractors, and their crews at risk of being stood down.
“Workers, families and whole communities are bleeding and facing a tough Christmas,” Mr O’Connor said.
In July, Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes announced in a Media Statement a review of the Code to fix the loopholes promising that “regional jobs are more important than ever right now – we can’t let outdated regulation put them at risk.
“Timber workers their families and communities demand certainty now and, after all this time waiting, our union won’t accept a half-baked, band-aid fix which continues to risk the jobs of our members,” he said.
