Anger after jobs fly off

RETRENCHED Townsville Airport workers are angry they have lost their jobs at a time when management is pushing for investment to boost the region’s economy.

Queensland Airports Limited announced yesterday it had made five maintenance positions redundant.

Three men and two women, who were either electrical or mechanical services officers, worked their last day on Wednesday.

One retrenched worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said the group had a total of 61 years’ experience between them and only became aware of a possible restructure last Monday.

The worker said the group was angry at the timing of the decision with Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill, who is also Townsville Enterprise chairman, only returning from a delegation to Singapore yesterday.

“Our biggest issue is the way we have been treated,” the ex- worker said. “Townsville Airport and QAL offloaded five hard- working people and we believe that puts them in a conflict with the charter of Townsville Enterprise to promote the local economy, local businesses and local jobs.

“We feel this has been a very well- planned redundancy even though we were told for a week that the company hadn’t made up their minds.”

The ex- worker said the company restructure did create a new contract management role, but none of the five affected employees wanted to apply.

“The role represented a significant loss financially for all of us and, more importantly, a loss of working conditions and entitlements,” the ex- worker said

“All five of us saw this as an absolute insult.”

In a statement, Queensland Airports Limited said a recent review of the organisational structure at Townsville Airport had resulted in the five positions being made redundant this week.

“The outcome was that certain asset management activities will be outsourced and local businesses will instead be contracted to undertake these functions,” the statement read.

“The transition to this new model is under way and the changes do not impact on operating activities and passenger experience.”

The Townsville Bulletin understands DTSOnline, which has a presence in Townsville but is based in Amberley, and Airport Equipment Australia, which according to its website has bases in Sydney and New Zealand, have secured the contract work at Townsville Airport.

The Townsville Bulletin has also obtained a copy of an email sent by Mr Gill to staff on Thursday claiming there were “no immediate plans for change within other units at Townsville Airport”.

“This change is significant for Townsville Airport, it will involve a new way of doing business, and ensure we as a company deliver efficiencies reflecting our strategic pillars.” PUBS around T Townsvilleill are gearing up for a big Sunday as the North Queensland Cowboys contest their NRL finals match.

Cowboys Leagues Club general manager Clint Williams said the venue would have three huge television screens broadcasting the game.

“All of the televisions will be on the game and we’ll have $ 10 pizzas for members during the game,” he said.

“We’re also giving away three Cowboys supporters packs which include items like jerseys. Our merchandise shop will also have a discount of 20 per cent.”

Mr Williams said the team generated huge support in Townsville.

“The team has been in the finals now seven times in a row and that’s an amazing achievement,” he said.

The club will start the broadcast with the under 20s match from 11.15am live on television.

“We’re expecting the club to be full,” Mr Williams said. “No matter where you sit you can get a good view of the game.

“You’ll be surrounded by like- minded fans and every time we score they’ll roar the house down.”

Seaview Hotel general manager Jason Schell is also preparing for a big afternoon.

“We’ll have multiple big screens including a 7sq m outdoor television,” he said.

“We won’t be playing music during the game. Sunday afternoon football against Cronulla – you can’t beat it.”

The Watermark Townsville bar manager Ryan Meares said Sunday was always busy but game- day would be “huge”.

“It’s a beautiful neck of the woods down on The Strand,” he said.