Union condemns Boral spin over Walcha

Flags shareholder activism at Boral AGM

CFMEU Forestry and Furnishing Division NSW State Secretary Craig Smith today rebutted public spin by Boral management today that Boral Walcha workers have largely found other employment.

“For Boral to stick its head up on radio today implying that the crisis in Walcha is over is simply despicable,” Mr Smith said.

“The ugly truth is that two of the ‘Walcha 23’ have found work and another two older workers are considering early retirement, though they have made it very clear that this is not their preference.”

“The reality remains that the major employer in Walcha has gratuitously shut down and whilst we congratulate the business community in Walcha for rallying around and trying to help, Boral have devastated the town and that won’t change until they reverse their decision.”

Shareholder activism

The CFMEU has also foreshadowed shareholder activism as another way to pressure the Boral management team to reverse its Walcha decision.

Mr Smith said the Boral workforce would have a big presence at the Boral AGM in October.

“Many Boral employees are shareholders and this presents an opportunity to pressure the management team at the AGM and at other public forums.”

“Boral workers at Narooma, Batemans Bay, Nowra and in the Gloucester/Tea Gardens area have a right to know what intentions management has for their mills, their communities and their jobs.”

“Its one thing to spin on radio and another thing to spin at an AGM.” “Boral shareholders will be holding this management team to account too.”