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Closure of Carter Holt Harvey Morwell Sawmill a bitter blowMember for Morwell Russell Northe has expressed his concern and sadness for Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) workers and their families following the closure of this vitally important business to the Latrobe Valley community. By Portal Admin - 28th September 2017 - Back to News Mr Northe said this was an incredibly difficult time for CHH employees, their families, contractors and service providers.
"Like Hazelwood Power Station the closure of CHH in such a short time frame is extremely disappointing," Mr Northe said.
"Unfortunately for our community there are many unanswered questions that remain around the closure".
"This situation is absolutely dreadful for the Latrobe Valley community particularly so close on top of the closure of Hazelwood Power Station."
Mr Northe said the State Government had thrown its hands in the air with regards to the closure of CHH.
"Unfortunately it appears all the State Government can do is offer training to affected employees, but this is not a solution - the solution is real jobs and employment for these same people," Mr Northe said.
"The Government should have done all in its power to keep CHH operating and protect jobs in Latrobe Valley."
Mr Northe said the State Government was prepared to buy the ASH sawmill in Heyfield when it was in strife, but it was not prepared to do the same for CHH Morwell sawmill in any capacity.
"No wonder workers and their families who were employed at CHH are feeling disillusioned and ignored," Mr Northe said.
Many of the workers I have spoken to face an uncertain future, and rubbing salt into the wound is the fact that unlike Hazelwood Power workers who at least could participate in a "worker transfer scheme" this does not
apply to CHH workers.
Please contact Russell on his mobile for any media queries
Office Contact: 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: support@gippsland.com
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