CARTER Holt Harvey mill workers at Myrtleford could be back at work by Sunday if their new pay deal is voted up on Saturday, the company’s chief has said.
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In his first interview with The Border Mail, Carter Holt Harvey chief executive Prafull Kesha said the company was prepared to reopen the mill on Sunday if the enterprise agreement was accepted in the two-day secret ballot this week.
He said in the event of a no vote the 10-week lockout would continue indefinitely.
“Boilers could be up Saturday and production commences Sunday,” he said.
Mr Kesha’s comments came as the Victorian government waded into the dispute at the 11th hour.
Bargaining representative for non-union aligned mill workers, Enzo D’Andrea questioned the late response from the government to the long-running industrial dispute impasse.
“Why didn’t Mr Andrews come to the party 10 weeks ago or even four weeks ago?” he said.
“Why now? Is it because the unions lifted their notice of industrial action?
“I am pleading with Mr Andrews to urge union members to vote yes to the agreement and we can all go back to work.”
Alpine Shire Mayor Ron Janas said while intervention was too late, he welcomed concern shown for mill workers and the community.
“I feel at this stage the matter should be left to a vote,” he said.
“There is nothing to be gained from any action before the vote; the community has been in the situation for some weeks and we were hoping for some earlier intervention.”
The mill workers will vote for the second time on the enterprise agreement on Friday and Saturday.
In a letter to employees, Mr Kesha wrote that previous hearings in the Fair Work Commission had failed to help reach an agreement.
“To the extent that any application made by the Andrews Labor government involves further conciliation before the Fair Work Commission, this will be no different from the previous conciliation that has already occurred with the assistance of Commissioner Ryan.”
There have been two hearings during the dispute.
Mr Kesha said the mill had not been profitable since it was commissioned with the exception of last year when it made a $650,000 profit.
“Mill viability in the future is something that will not be known until workers return to work and a proper assessment of customer and market requirements can be determined,” he said.
The secret vote will be held at Myrtleford RSL, ending at noon on Saturday.
A result should be known by about 12.30pm Saturday.
The Letter to Carter Holt Harvey employees from CEO Prafull Kesha
To all CHH Myrtleford Plymill employees,
Earlier today a press release from The Hon Natalie Hutchins MP was issued in which it stated “The Andrews Labor Government will seek a suspension of the industrial action being taken by Carter Holt Harvey WoodProducts Pty Ltd.” It went on to say “An application will be lodged under section 423 of the Fair Work Act seeking a suspension of the lockout. As an independent umpire Fair Work Australia is best placed to help both parties reach an agreement.” and “Both parties need to sit down and negotiate a new EBA in good faith – without resorting to industrial action.”.
The parties to this dispute have already asked the Fair Work Commission to help reach agreement on the outstanding matters. Accordingly, to the extent that any application made by the Andrews Labor Government involves further conciliation before the Fair Work Commission, this will be no different from the previous conciliation that has already occurred with the assistance of Commissioner Ryan.
The parties have appeared before Commissioner Ryan to progress the outstanding matters, some of which remain unresolved with the CFMEU (which represents certain employees).
The terms and conditions of the EBA need to be considered by all employees and their representatives, not just the CFMEU. For that reason, we have asked all of you to vote on the proposed EBA on Friday and Saturday.
I encourage you all to vote in favour of the proposed terms and conditions to enable you and your colleagues to return to work and the Myrtleford community to move forward rather than returning to the Fair Work Commission for further bargaining.
Prafull Kesha,
CHH Group CEO