GREENBUSHES TIMBER MILL CLOSURE

On Friday the 13th of May approximately 50 AWU members and workers at the Greenbushes and Manjimup Timber Mills clocked off for the last time.

Parkside decided late last week to cease operations at the Greenbushes Mill and reduce their workforce at the Manjimup Mill after the State Government decided to end the hard wood timber industry in the South West and Great Southern.

The AWU has continued to oppose the State Government’s decision and has been working with industry and the government to ensure not a single timber worker is left behind. We have included a jobs and government support bulletin-board at the bottom of this story to help them plan for their future.

These are real people, with real families and whose livelihoods are now facing an uncertain future.

The AWU has fought hard to ensure they are not forgotten through negotiating enhanced redundancy packages with government, hosting jobs fair events and supporting countless timber workers on site and in your communities.

We are committed to ensuring not a single timber worker is left behind and we will fight for every member and ensure they have access to retraining and future job opportunities.

The early closure of the Greenbushes Mill came as a surprise to everyone involved, including Parkside’s workers and the AWU who had been on site just a week earlier, receiving no warning of what was to come.

When the AWU was informed of these closures our Timber Organiser, Andy Hacking leaped into action attending the Greenbushes and Manjimup Mills and contacting the State Government to ensure that local mine operator, Talison Lithium and South Regional TAFE Manjimup Campus received an invite to the Town Halls.

Timber workers arrived guarded and sceptical of the town hall events although they left with hope and tools to build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

The town hall events were a great success with Talison Lithium informing the AWU that they have already organised 11 interviews with timber workers present at the town hall (over 20% of the redundant workers) with more to come. Members also had many other constructive conversations taking place between workers and government services like the Jobs and Skills Centres and Centrelink.

No matter where you work, the AWU has your back.

If you have been made redundant and are having trouble applying for your enhanced redundancy package or need help accessing the training or support services, contact your Forestry Organiser, Andy Hacking on 0429 820 125 or [email protected].

AWU JOBS BOARD
Find employers looking for workers in AWU covered industries below:

WA Timber Products, Dwellingup
A: 1 Acacia Road, Dwellingup, WA 6213
E: [email protected]
T: 0407 664 860
W: www.watimberproducts.com.au
WA Timber Products is seeking 5 timber workers for their Dwellingup Mill, contact Todd Hersey on the mobile number above for more information.

Wespine Industries Pty Ltd
A: 241 Moore Road, Dardanup West, WA 6236
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9725 5775
W: www.wespine.com.au
Wespine are seeking Timber Processors, Forklift Drivers, Saw Doctors, Maintenance Fitters, Electricians, Team Leaders.

Redmond Sawmill
A: 35218 Albany Highway, Albany WA 6330
E: [email protected]
T: 0407 483 437
W: www.redmondsawmill.com.au
Redmond saw mill are seeking 5 timber workers for their Sawmill in Albany. Redmond Mill is willing to assist workers with accommodation in Albany.

Cleanaway Waste Management Services
A: 27 Beach Street, Kwinana Beach WA 6167
E: [email protected]
T: 0431 703 209
W: www.cleanaway.com.au
Cleanaway are seeking General Labourers and Industrial Cleaning Technicians contact Carmen Colley on the details above for more information.

Talison Lithium Pty Ltd Greenbushes Lithium Operation
A: PO Box 31, Greenbushes, WA 6254
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9764 2808
W: www.talisonlithium.com/careers
Talison Lithium are seeking Process Operators, Laboratory Technicians, Geological Pit Technicians, Maintenance and Infrastructure Operators and many more entry level roles contact Elizabeth Kane above for more information.

Talison Drilling Contractors:

Hagstrom Drilling
A: 29 Sorbonne Crescent, Canning Vale, WA 6155
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9456 0596
W: www.hagstromdrilling.com.au

Action Drill & Blast
A: 181 Great Eastern Highway
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9232 4306
W: www.actiondb.com.au

Employers offering FIFO from Busselton:

Byrnecut Underground Mining
A: 1 George Wiencke Drive, Perth Airport WA 6105
T: 08 9270 1000
W: https://www.seek.com.au/Byrnecut-jobs/at-this-company
Byrnecut are seeking Bulldozer Operators, Drill Operators, Boilermakers, Jumbo Operators, Truck Operators and Drillers for their operations across the state.

Mineral Resources
A: 1 Sleat Road, Applecross, WA 6153
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9329 3600
W: www.mineralresources.com.au

DDH1 Drilling
A: 21 Baile Road, Canning Vale WA 6155
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9435 1700
W: www.ddh1.com.au
DDH1 Drilling are seeking Drillers and Drillers Offsiders to support their operations across the state.

Boart Longyear
T: 08 8375 7375
W: https://careers.boartlongyear.com/apac/new-jobs/

Foraco Drilling
A: 10 Ballantyne Road, Kewdale WA 6105
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9251 9900
W: http://www.foraco.com/

Welldrill
A: 32 Poletti Road, Cockburn Central, WA 6164
E: [email protected]
T: 08 9437 4633
W: https://welldrill.com.au/

Rio Tinto
A: 152-158 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
T: 08 9327 2000
W: https://jobs.riotinto.com/job-search-results/?keyword=busselton
Rio Tinto are seeking Mobile Plant Operators, Fixed Plant Operators, Drill and Blast Operators, Heavy Duty Fitters, Fixed Plant Fitters, HV Electricians and Auto Electricians.

GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
Struggling to find a job or need support from the State or Federal Government?

Jobs and Skills Centre – Manjimup
Kathy Barlow, Regional Coordinator
A: Graphite Road, Manjimup WA 6258
E: [email protected]
T: 0499 908 096
W: www.jobsandskills.wa.gov.au

Local Jobs Program – South West WA Region
Maryanne Baker, Employment Facilitator
E: [email protected]
T: 0407 958 191
W: www.dese.gov.au/local-jobs-program

South Regional TAFE – Manjimup
A: Graphite Road, Manjimup WA 6258
E: [email protected]
T: 08 6371 3773 M: 0428 696 020
W: www.southregionaltafe.wa.edu.au/campuses/manjimup

Centrelink Busselton
A: 65 Duchess Street, Busselton WA 6280
E: [email protected]
T: 13 24 68
W: www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink?context=1

Anglicare Manjimup & Anglicare Financial Counselling
Financial Counsellors
A: Community Centre, Corner of Mount & Rose St, Manjimup WA 6258
T: 08 9777 1945
W: www.anglicarewa.org.au/get-help/financial-assistance/financial-counselling

Beyond Blue
T: 1300 224 636
W: www.beyondblue.org.au
Confidential telephone services for those dealing with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety as a result of the closures.