Apr 10, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. The New South Wales, Australia, forestry union is urging the north coast timber industry to hold on to workers. Across the country, the industry will shutdown for an extended period over Easter (April 12) with workers taking voluntary leave in an effort to hold onto their jobs, as ABC Online informed Lesprom Network. State union secretary Craig Smith says when work does pick up the industry will need skilled workers and is asking employers to be creative and flexible with work arrangements. "We sought to try and minimise the jobs losses because when that upturn does occur we want to ensure that the companies that our members are employed by are in the best position possible to meet the demands as they arise," he said. The forestry union says the industry has been hit hard by the global recession. The Construction Forestry Mining Energy Union (CFMEU) says the industry is grinding to a halt and there will be no work for at least 10 days over the Easter period. Union secretary Michael O'Conner says when works does resume most employees will on reduced hours. Mr. O' Connor says it is grim times for forestry. "There's no doubt the recesssion has hit the forest products industry and timber industry with a vengence," he said. "A number of people in the industry are saying that it's the worst downturn they've seen for a very long time. "It has been also noted that some demand has been created by the Commonwealth Government's stimulus package and that needs to be recongnised but times are grim."