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Union writes to PM on retirement age

Posted on June 2, 2009, 11:11am

Timber industry workers fear Federal Government changes to the national retirement age will force them to work longer in their physically demanding occupations and reduce opportunities for the next generation of workers.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union South East spokesperson Brad Coates said people in the sector did not want to be forced to work another two years before retiring.

He said the aged pension for blue-collar workers in physically punishing areas of work should not be restricted to those over the age of 67.

“All the feedback I am getting in my area is that the members are not happy; they expected better from an ALP government and they are worried that, given the arduous nature of their work, they may not be physically able to keep working until 67,” he said.

The union has written to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to outline concerns on behalf of members.

“Our union is of the view hard-working people deserve better than this sort of decision and politicians in Canberra are not well placed to judge the age at which timber and forest products workers can pull up stumps,” Mr Coates said.

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