Carter Harvey Holt Whangarei workers 'shocked and raw' over potential closure
Friday, 24 January 2020
Carter Holt Harvey sawmill workers are reeling from the announcement of the proposed closure of its Whangarei sawmill on Thursday, the workers' union says.
Carter Hold Harvey Timber chief executive Clayton Harris said in a statement on Thursday the sawmill would be replaced by its Kawerau and Nelson sawmills. The proposed closure would affect about 111 workers.
'The decision has been made reluctantly, but the sawmill had been facing log shortages for some time and our analysis was that it's only going to get worse.'
Northern Amalgamated Workers Union national coordinator Maurice Davis said staff were 'shocked and raw'.
'It's very likely the closure will go through. In my experience most of these don't get turned around,' Davis said.
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Davis said the average working age of a sawmill worker was about 45-years-old.
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Davis said the closure would be a 'significant loss' to the community.
National MP for Whangarei Dr Shane Reti said in a post on social media that he understood the decision to close the sawmill would be finalised in about a month, and the company was not looking to save any jobs.
'I know quite a few folks who work at the mill, many of them patients from my previous life and this would be a big loss to them,' Reti said.
'The ripple effect through the community, as others are also noting, truckies, cafes, truck maintenance, fuel providers to name a few.
Carter Holt Harvey said it was working with the union and affected staff to ensure they had the support they need.
Staff would be consulted and the company would then consider feedback before making a final decision, it said.
Carter Holt Harvey had been approached for comment.