DRUG TESTS COST PEOPE WORK, SAYS CONTRACTOR

Hard anti-drug policies are costing the forestry industry much-needed
workers, a contractor claimed yesterday.

According to the contractor, who asked not to be named, "a lot of the
pool we draw from dabbles in marijuana from time to time".

"I don't condone or believe in it one little bit, but at the same
time, I'm realistic," he said.

Forestry employs close to 200 workers in Wairarapa in logging,
truck-driving, or silviculture.

The contractor said it seemed the New Zealand Forest Owners
Association "thinks it can solve a problem that's too hard for the
rest of New Zealand".

"It's pretty much law in the industry now that they can get randomly
tested; there's the politics out there that doesn't see the practical
side of things."

Explaining his request not to be named, the man said he would "like to
stand up on the soapbox and speak out, but I've got to find work tomorrow".

The contractor said marijuana use "should be seen as another hazard;
it's a bit ridiculous really".

"I don't think there's actually been a proven statistic linking to
accidents; not only is there a very small pool to draw from but there
are tougher and tougher rules."

The contractor said even without the drug restrictions, the industry
was finding it difficult to find enough workers to take in all the
wood that needs to be harvested in the region.

"There is plenty of work, and definitely a shortage of skilled,
motivated labour," he said.

Wage levels were a factor in that motivation.

"There are guys with three or four kids who can probably get more on
the dole than what we can afford to give them with what's in the
system," the contractors said.

"And if the forestry companies don't get enough to pay us what we
require, we're in the same boat."

The contractor said forestry was down worldwide because of a drop-off
in construction, except in China.

"And while they're taking the volume, the exchange rate means we're
not doing too good.

"That dollar might only have to move five cents and that makes it do
or don't do."

Transport costs were also a factor.

"Anyone who has to cart long distance to the Wellington wharves is
suffering too."

The contractor said there was not enough infrastructure to cope with
the wood that needs harvesting in New Zealand.

"We could buy a lot of steel tomorrow, but we can't buy the flesh
unfortunately."

Juken New Zealand forest manager Dave Hilliard said he had "no
sympathy" with the contractor's view.

"Perhaps they should review whether they should be in the industry; we
don't want people who condone that as contractors either."

Mr Hilliard says JNL wants its workers "to be confident the person
working next to them is free of inhibiting substances".

"If it reduces the pool of workers then society has got the
problem.

"It might have the opposite effect; people might stay away from the
industry if they think it's infected with drug-impaired people."