Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy hopes a public meeting will bring together the ‘fractured’ Myrtleford community and show Carter Holt Harvey workers how the town is being affected by the industrial dispute.
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The meeting comes as workers prepare to return to the mill tomorrow ready for work in the hopes Carter Holt Harvey would cease lock out to start work after Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.
Mr McCurdy said meeting was being held at the McNamara Reserve from 7pm tomorrow and was a community driven initiative.
He said it aimed to get workers to understand another vote against the industrial agreement would continue to hurt the town.
“It’s getting ugly, I don’t have much confidence in the future of the mill long term if it’s a no,” Mr McCurdy said.
“It’s really important – the community is fractured.
“People, in the past voted as people, as individuals, and what a lot of people need to realise it’s about more than them it’s about business and the community.”
Mr McCurdy said a worker, a shire representative, a business representative and a Lions or Rotary club member would speak and community questions.
CFMEU assistant secretary Andrew Vendramini said union workers and delegates would attend the meeting.
National secretary Michael O’Connor will speak about the facts of the lock out.
Mr Vendramini said the company was profitable and there was no reason to close the mill.
He said the lock out has been hard on Myrtleford but passing an industrial agreement just to get workers back to work would hurt financially the town in the long run.
Mr Vendramini said said if the company didn’t let workers through the gates to work this morning they would not be allowing workers a free vote.
“It’s time for the company to withdraw the lock out so people can go back to work and vote how they want to vote – not feel like they have a gun to their head saying vote this way or we’ll keep you locked out,” he said.
Alpine council mayor Ron Janas said when the issue was resolved council would help reunify the ‘divided’ community.
“The town is a bit despondent, wanting a resolution and for things to go back to normalcy,” he said.
“I’m hoping workers will seriously consider their position and vote to return to work, my understanding is the company isn’t putting anything more on the table.”