23 February 2025
MEDIA RELEASE
Hundreds of Timber and Pulp & Paper Workers to
Vote to LEAVE THE CFMEU
Hundreds of South-East SA Timber and Pulp and Paper Workers are expected to vote in a demerger ballot which will see them establish their own Union, the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU).
The secret ballot run by the Australian Electoral Commission opens on the 24th of February and will run to the 14th of April.
Currently Timber and Pulp & Paper Workers are members of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division – with that Division’s members now voting across the country to leave the CFMEU and get their own union.
“We expect a high voter turn out and a big ‘YES’ vote to demerge from the CFMEU” said Mr Brad Coates, Secretary of the Greater Green Triangle district of the CFMEU’s Manufacturing Division.
“Timber and Pulp & Paper Workers in the South-East and all our members across the country do not want to be associated with a Union that is riddled with allegations of corruption and criminality” said Mr Coates.
“The right of timber workers and pulp & paper workers to have a demerger vote was originally championed by Senator Jacqui Lambie and then taken up by the Albanese Government.
“Members should know that they are able to exercise their democratic right to a vote because of the advocacy of Jacqui Lambie and legislation introduced by the Albanese Government – and supported by all MPs except the Greens” Mr Coates said.
The CFMEU Manufacturing Division would be the second Division to leave the CFMEU after the Mining and Energy Division left in 2023 to form the Mining and Energy Union.
For further comment contact Brad Coates on 0418 838 338