‘Disregard for ratepayers’

Dear Editor

The way the Council treats its employees is a reflection of its disregard for ratepayers.

Most of the Council and ratepayers may be unaware that until a few months ago a mechanic was on the Outdoor Staff. He was employed to repair all machinery thus avoiding expensive outsourcing. He maintained and repaired equipment and machines, recycling surplus materials to make parts, made plant, repairing the unrepairable and even made tools to do the jobs. Holding many tickets he was versatile and could be slotted in almost anywhere when someone was away, he was a generalist not a specialist.

His retirement after 23 years service received no recognition from our esteemed Council and CEO for his loyal service. The only acknowledgement was from his fellow Outdoor Staff workers and one member of the Indoor Staff. (Please take note of how the Council workforce is divided.)

For a Council which prides itself on its social policies, I find them hypocritical in the extreme. At the Aquatic Centre Info meeting I mentioned the above to staff and a) they were unaware that a mechanic was employed and b) shocked by the lack of acknowledgement of service.

I would also like to point out that whenever a new position is created in the Town Hall one of the outdoor staff is sacked and the work outsourced. The Indoor Staff are noted for their high turnover perhaps because they are career minded. Recently several long term Indoor Staff have left, perhaps as in the Corporate environment, the new broom had to sweep the floor clean.

Anonymous,
Chewton 3451