Forest contractor’s attitude unhelpful

Forest contractor’s attitude unhelpful

The CTU is gobsmacked at today’s attack from the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA) to its own Independent Forest Safety Review Report.

“FICA's public meltdown is unfortunate and disappointing. We are very concerned that this type of behaviour may mean that workers do not feel able to come forward and voice their concerns about the realities of unsafe practices within the forestry industry.” CTU President Helen Kelly said.

“FICA has dominated the whole review process and agreed to every stage and clearly is not able to face the significance of the changes needed to make the industry safe. Good contractors have a lot to gain from this review including building sustainable models in which they can operate successfully.” Kelly said.

“To attack it now in the middle of the process sends a very bad signal to its members and raises the question that the Minister should never have left this important task to the industry.” Kelly said.

“We have had lots of support from employers in the industry including contractors and I am sure they will also be dismayed by this attack on the panel and on the union. We hope they will make this clear to the panel.” Kelly said

“We believe in the work that the independent review panel is doing and support them in their ongoing work. The forestry sector needs to be reformed, it can be made safer and this review panel is a part of the solution.” Kelly said.

ENDS

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