Employers, industry groups and the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining and Energy Union have co-funded a TV advertisement to thank workers in the timber industry who performed and are performing vital work to protect homes and lives during the recent and current bushfires. Source: Timberbiz
The commercial features stunning footage taken by a forestry worker as he and his workmates cleared a containment line in regional Victoria. It will air for two weeks across all major networks and be supported by an expansive social media campaign.
In a powerful show of unity following the bushfire crisis, the Union has come together with the Victorian Association of Forest Industries, the Australian Forest Products Association and the Australian Forest Contractors Association for the campaign.
With years of experience working in the bush across regional Australia, timber workers, their equipment, skills and expertise play a vital role prior, during and in the aftermath of bushfires. As well as working to build containment lines, the skills, expertise and equipment of timber workers is relied on to remove dangerous trees and clear roads following these disasters.
The campaign comes as questions continue to be asked about the viability of Victoria’s timber industry, and thus the maintenance of this vital bushfire mitigation and suppression capacity, following a Victorian Government decision to close down large sections of the timber industry.
The national secretary of the CFMEU Michael O’Connor said the footage doesn’t just show the skills, but also the courage of workers in the timber industry.
“We’re proud to have so many timber workers as members, and we’re thankful to the entire industry for their work during the bushfire crisis,” he said.
“This vital industry doesn’t just provide the economic lifeblood of many regional towns and communities; it also keeps the people that live in them safe during times of extreme risk.”
The Chief Executive of the Chief Executive of the Victorian Association of Forest Industries Tim Johnston said the efforts of forest workers highlighted in the video won’t surprise those who live and work in timber communities.
“The tens of thousands of people who rely on Victoria’s timber industry will already know how incredible these workers are,” he said.
We’re proud to be part of this campaign to make sure the rest of Victoria knows it as well.”
It can be seen here: https://ausfpa.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bushfire_45Sec_HR_TV.mp4
