
Issue No 68		25 August 2000

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News

Scientists Protest IT Outsourcing

By Dermot Browne

Scientists, technicians and administration staff from CSIRO, ANSTO and other science agencies will attend rallies and events in capital and regional cities on Tuesday, August 29, 2000.

They are taking this action as part of a growing public campaign to force the Federal Government to reconsider its plans to outsource their information technology (IT).

According to the CSIRO Staff Association and the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), government proposals to outsource IT infrastructure and services are one of the most significant threats ever to face science agencies and should be stopped.

Affected organisations include CSIRO, Bureau of Meteorology, Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australian Geological Survey Organisation and the Australian Antarctic Division.

Dr Pauline Gallagher, CSIRO Staff Association Assistant Secretary said scientists fear for the future of their work and CSIRO as a whole. "The Government wants to put IT systems in CSIRO out to tender out by the end of the year, and appears to have no idea of the serious impact this will have on CSIRO research activity," said Dr Gallagher. "CSIRO's success relies on teamwork and the IT people are an important part of that team. Outsourcing make no sense."

Dr Chris Dyt, Scientific Officer with the CSIRO Division of Petroleum Resources in Adelaide is involved in building hydrodynamic fluid models for predicting sediment distributions in ocean basins. Understanding the quality of sediments allows for more reliable oil exploration. "We have contracts with US oil companies to do this work and everything I do involves using the computer. We are constantly adding to and changing the program. If I have a problem and I can't fix it myself, then I can get help within an hour or two, but if it is outsourced there may be a couple of days down time while I wait for someone who understands the system, to come."

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Issue 68 contents

Interview: New Unionist
Britain's Trade Union Congress secretary John Monks on life under Blair and why the future of unionism could well rest in Europe.

History: The Victims of Whiggery
George Loveless, the leader of the rural workers who became the Tolpuddle Martyrs, recorded his ideals and experiences in a pamphlet that brings his story to life.

Economics: The Final Station
Corporatisation was first introduced into Australia by the former Greiner Coalition government. What is 'corporatisation' and who should we hold to account under its prescriptions?

International: Massive Union Win in American Telecom
The Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced on Thursday a settlement with Verizon Communications ending a fifteen day strike by 87,000 telephone workers from Maine to Virginia.

Unions: A Vital Community Service
What keeps the engine of the Australian economy running? Manufacturing productivity, the stock market, exports? Try child care.

Satire: Putin copies Clinton: dead seamen stains reputation
MOSCOW, Tuesday: Russian naval authorities today faced staunch criticism, and the anger of a nation gripped by tragedy, as they conceded that all 118 Russian submariners trapped in the nuclear submarine, the Kursk, had died.

Review: Blow Up The Pokies
Whether it arouses public debate about Gambling is best left to the public but Peter Zangarri thinks Tim Freedman is on a winner with the Whitlam's latest CD.

» Public Sector Workers Win $1.50 An Hour Olympic Allowance

» Olympic Vendors Cream Boss

» Child Care Workers Pick Up 10% Pay rise

» Boston Bags Bonus While Teachers Wait on Back-Pay

» Super Saga

» Homecare Workers Hit Streets

» CPSU Logs On Internet Providers

» 1 Million Reasons to Belong to a Union

» City Rail Security Guards Win Olympic Bonus

» Making a Difference in ICANN Elections

» Sydney Hotel Stoppages Throughout Next Week

» Scientists Protest IT Outsourcing

» Dealing With Workplace Deaths