The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union sought an emergency hearing of Fair Work Australia, alleging that both companies had stood down workers without pay or consultation, which was in breach of legal agreements.

Jenny Thomas, speaking for McKay, said three workers at St Helens were taking annual leave and another long service leave while the company sought to find storage for unsold woodchips.

She said 25 workers were affected at the company's Bridgewater site, with 12 workers without any leave as they had already used it up.

Ms Thomas said that was unfortunate but ``the situation is unprecedented'' and it was coming at considerable cost to McKay.

Emily Henderson, on behalf of Barbers, said eight workers were stood down after Artec informed the sawmill it was not accepting woodchips during February just 24 hours before the suspension.

She said work was under way to change the processing system to allow work to resume Monday, but that was only a four to six-week solution.

``We are looking very seriously at what can be done with stockpiles,'' she said.

The union's Leo Skourdoumbis said he was pleased that Barbers would pay its workers until they returned to full duties on Monday, and that McKay would allow all its workers paid or unpaid leave.

He said it should serve as a warning to other employers planning to stand down workers or fail to consult with the union.

``For too long workers in Tasmania have been used as convenient scapegoats by industry chiefs and the government,'' Mr Skourdoumbis said. ``Well, we are sick and tired of that and will not stand for it any more.''