Rallying together for meat workers

A CO-ORDINATOR has now taken up temporary residence in the Clarence Valley Council chambers to help workers displaced from the South Grafton abattoir.

Chamber of Commerce president Jeremy Challacombe (left), CHESS employment manager Jock McNamara, Mayor Richie Williamson, North Coast rapid response team co-ordinator Chris Pauling and community programs client services manager Annette Rushby discuss assistance available for displaced abattoir workers.

A CO-ORDINATOR has now taken up temporary residence in the Clarence Valley Council chambers to help workers displaced from the South Grafton abattoir.

Christine Pauling, who forms part of a rapid response team dealing with the imminent closure, moved into the office yesterday and said there was a range of measures already in place to help the workers.

That included psychological counselling, Centrelink assistance and employment assistance.

"It is a really difficult time for workers and it is very difficult for families to make plans when that sort of thing is happening," she said.

Already plans are in place to try to find jobs for those who want them.

Grafton Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Jeremy Challacombe said he had contacted the 600 chamber members to ask if they needed workers. Those details would be forwarded to employment agencies to link positions with people qualified to fill them.

Ms Pauling said most were loyal workers, skilled in working in teams.

She said information on family relationships would be available through communityprograms .org.au.

CHESS employment manager Jock McNamara said assistance was available for jobseekers with disabilities and Grafton Mayor Richie Williamson said some assistance was available for people having difficulty making rates payments, but people anticipating problems needed to contact council without delay.

"Don't wait until there is someone knocking at the door," he said.

Originally published as Rallying together for meat workers