Defence workers warned of sack
CRAIG DUNLOP
craig.dunlop@news.com.au AN unknown number of Territory defence base upkeep staff could be joining the dole queue as multinational company Broadspectrum looks to “rebalance” how it delivers maintenance services locally.
The company has large, nationwide contracts at defence force bases, delivering support services including maintenance and gardening.
The company – formerly known as Transfield Services – called local staff into a compulsory meeting last Monday, where management delivered the news there would be “imminent” redundancies.
A flyer handed to staff members and seen by the Sunday Territorian said the cuts would be finalised by the end of this week.
“As in any organisation, Broadspectrum constantly reviews whether the resourcing and operating models are effective and providing the best value for money and service delivery for the company and our customers,” the flyer says.
A staff member, who spoke to the Sunday Territorian on a condition of anonymity, said the company had been increasingly turning to subcontractors and that the local workforce had been told of “major redundancies”.
The worker said Broadspectrum was now relying on subcontractors for further lines of credit and to complete work.
“Employees are unable to complete works due to the inability to obtain materials, therefore making completion times blow out,” the worker said.
A Broadspectrum spokesman did not respond to the worker’s allegation about lineof-credit issues locally.
A “workplace change” memo also given to staff last Monday said the company would try to find alternate jobs in-house, and would only make a worker redundant when “all other opportunities have been exhausted”.
“The company will continue to look for alternate employment during your notice period,” the memo said.
The company spokesman could not specify the number of local jobs affected but said the overall number of staff nationwide “is not expected to change significantly from current levels”.
“Some movement is anticipated as we rebalance employment opportunities,” the spokesman said.