E tลซ is calling on the Government to lend greater support to Aotearoa New Zealandโs local wood processing industry in the wake of the proposal to close Whakatฤne Mill.
On Tuesday, the millโs management presented workers with a proposal to shut the mill by the end of June. The closure would affect around 220 employees, including temporary workers.
E tลซ spokesperson Raymond Wheeler says the union will be supporting more than 40 more members during the consultation process.
He says the proposed closure lends some urgency to the Governmentโs work on an Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) for the forestry and wood processing sector, if local manufacturing is to survive.
โWe need to see increased support for manufacturing in the regions, particularly in the form of government procurement for local wood products.
โThese industries are also a vital part of the communityโs economic wellbeing, as many local businesses such as in engineering, scaffolding, and associated industries, rely on a large operation like the Whakatฤne Mill for work.โ
Raymond says an ITP would enable workers to have more control over their futures by having a say in creating and maintaining decent work, while ensuring that the local manufacturing industry remains viable.