
Issue No 24		30 July 1999

News

Management Vandals Take to Sydney Water

Sydney Water this week sent letters to all its staff - from senior managers down - offering them voluntary redundancy - in a move that could further demoralise the organisation..

In an organisation unhappy after years of wilful downsizing and mismanagement many are likely to jump at an offer which actually pays them to escape.

This will leave the organisation - already at the bone after years of staff cutting - as a virtual shell.

Sydney Water announced it's own self-destruction with impeccable timing - on the first anniversary of the outbreak of last year's water contamination scare.

Alison Peters, Secretary of the ASU, which covers Sydney Water, says the announcement is evidence of a clueless management obsessed with a phoney bottom line at the expense of its wider obligations.

'It's clear from Sydney Water's memos that they're not interested in the real needs of the business or in who stays,' she said.

'It's a knee jerk reaction we've come to expect from management who have no real interest in staff or an essential public service.'

Labor Government sits on its hands

The ASU is disappointed with the inaction of the state government which could intervene, not only to save jobs but to prevent the further deterioration of an essential service already on the brink.

'The Government has the ability to overrule this decision - especially now Sydney Water has reverted back to being a statutory authority. But they are sitting on their hands,' said Alison Peters.

The ASU say they will now campaign to ensure the remaining workers will have sufficient resources to do their job without the threat of contracting out.

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  Issue 24 contents

Interview: The Man in the Hot Seat
WorkCover general manger John Grayson cut his teeth in the trade union movement. Now he�s trying to save the state�s workers compensation scheme.

Unions: Turning Up The Heat: Bush Fire Officers Seek Award Justice
"We want an award for the job that we do, not the job other people want us to do". Donald Bushby, and his fellow Fire Control Officers, know what they want. It's simple: an award for FCO's and deputy FCO's, an award that recognises who they are, the job they do, the pressures they have to live with.

International: The Virtual Labour Congress
International trade unions are launching an online debate on Labour in the 21th century.

Legal: The Source of the Issue
Recent legal developments place the spotlight on the outsourcing of government activities.

Review: The Split that Changed a Nation
A new book looks at the Cold War ALP split that redefined politics in this country.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's resource for unionists.

Satire: Man Takes Home Pay - More Pokies Needed
The NSW government has expressed concern following the release of a second report by the Productivity Commission which shows that a majority of employed people still spend their pay on luxury items such as food and clothing for their family.

» Sixty Cents A Week to Protect Entitlements

» Workers Comp � The Rorts Have to Stop

» Steggles Roasted Over Family-Busting Policies

» Youth Worker Death Prompts Safety Fears

» Rail Security Guards Miss Danger Spots

» New South Coast Labor Body Seeks Recognition

» Howard Ministers, Employment Advocate in the Dock

» Management Vandals Take to Sydney Water

» Boston Fiddles While Teachers Burn

» Lundy to Star in Workers Online Net Night

» STOP PRESS - Firefighters Seek End To Safety Apartheid