Just Transition support packages agreed to for timber workers as native logging ban looms

Timber workers who have been in the industry for more than 15 years will be eligible for a payout of up to $45,000 under an agreed transition policy as a native logging ban looms. The State Government, the leading WA timber body and the Australian Workers Union reached an agreement over worker payouts for the Just Transition plan. Announced last Wednesday, the draft workers support package was presented to the members of the Native Forest Transition Group, the group comprising local and State Government representatives, business spokespeople and timber bodies to oversee the plan. The payments have been divided into two categories to determine the maximum payout a timber employee is eligible for as the transition process continues. Forestry Minister Dave Kelly said the first pathway applies to workers who chose to leave the industry of their own accord to seek stable employment elsewhere. He said workers who make this decision are eligible for payouts of up to $10,000. “A worker who decides of their own volition to leave their employment and move to another opportunity will be available for a base payment of $10,000, that is in recognition of the disruption that the decision has caused to their career and to their family,” Mr Kelly said. Mr Kelly said the second payment pathway for timber workers applies to those who are sacked by their employer if work becomes too scarce. Workers who have been in the industry for 15 years or more qualify for support packages up to $45,000 which Mr Kelly described as “substantial.” “Workers who are actually made redundant as a result of this decision due to a mill being downsized or closed will be eligible for a base payment of $30,000 plus a staged payment of $1000 for each year of service up to a maximum of 15 years,” he said. “That will mean a worker who has 15 years of service and is made redundant will have a package of up to $45,000, that is a substantial payment to assist those workers who are made redundant.” Mr Kelly said there would be other payments available to workers who chose to retrain through tertiary education or needed help with resume writing. “There will also be retraining assistance provided with $2500 to workers who want to retrain for example through TAFE, a $500 assistance for workers who want assistance with things such as resume writing and there will also be up to another $500 for workers who want to get new uniforms, new tools to assist them to go to another job opportunity,” he said. Forest Industries Federation WA chief executive Adele Farina said the group welcomed the draft worker support package but wanted the State Government to clarify who would and would not be eligible for payouts. “We welcome these packages but are still seeking clarification on several points, including the possibility that some workers may be ineligible,” she said. “Industry is strongly of the view that no worker should be excluded from accessing the packages.” The State Government has estimated roughly 500 workers will be affected by the closure of the native logging industry which was announced in August last year. The decision to end the native timber industry was also estimated to save more than 400,000ha of native jarrah, karri and wandoo forest in the coming years. The next meeting of the Native Forest Transition Group is on Thursday.