Serco Sodexho takes the axe to defence contractor's pay

link

Well it looks as though Serco-Sodexho are aiming to reduce wage rates for its staff, and their staff are expected to voluntarily sign Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs).

Doesn’t sound like there is any voluntary aspects to this AWA. Serco Sodexho are behaving in a heavy handed and stupid manner, at its transparently so. I agree with Kim Beazley when he says if 50% of staff want a collective agreement, then so be it.

I don’t think Australian diggers would like to know that cleaners are going to suffer pay cuts. And people who have read John Howard’s support of Seco-Sodexho should realise this.

Ant there’s already a rail line there – has been for a long time (I think that the bridge it uses to cross the Molonglo is heritage listed). I doubt that a spur-line would be warranted for 400-800 staff given that there will be major raod access from both the Kings Hwy and Captains Flat Road.

HQJOC is definitely go – a number of tenders are already on the street. I was involved in one on Friday.

On another note, if the govt chooses to outsource, then they get to set the rules. If they screw it up, they have noone but themselves to blame.

From previous experiences within the ADO, the awarded contractor will find out the real cost beyond tender, and then reapproach Defence for more money, who will give it to them on account of the rife stupidity which is our defence force leadership today.

Watch it happen.

Outsourcing is a joke. As for enforcing contracts, sure, that might happen, one day. NOT. And the companies who get the contracts know it. as for security clearances, who actually checks that all contracted staff have them? I know for a fact that this particular requirement is rorted.

HQJOC will be built, but the managment of that whole affair has been pretty shambolic too. On the plans, they have a little train line, which puzzles me a bit. They’ll have to take over land to put that on, and it crosses the King’s Highway at one point. It’d make sense, if that’s how they’re going to bring staff in. But it’s puzzling.

I would say predictable rather than ironic, but this is all a discussion for another thread

If the bungendore HQ doesn’t , I know a few mid sized building companies that won’t be very happy !

Some works have already started at HQJOC

Ooh Thumper! Don’t say bad things about the unfettered free market! That would make you a great big hippy!

On your tangent…I reckon it will open, and will be a massive white elephant.