by Louisa L.
Oatley, a tiny Sydney suburb, more like a country town tucked in a
bend of the Georges River, has an electricity depot with 30 engineers employed,
of 500 statewide. Many of the local engineers backed a meeting in the
neighbouring suburb of Mortdale to stop electricity privatisation.
Nick Gotsis, of Professionals Australia which represents engineers
and other technical professionals, is convinced most of these jobs would go if
poles and wires are privatised, saying the reduction in numbers would lead to
greater stress and increased intensity workload.
He said outsourcing was already increasing, imposing cost savings
“off the backs of the workers.”
Contractors, he stated, make mistakes, because they don't have
expertise or local knowledge. Meanwhile boards lack engineers, and only focus
on profits.
He expressed concern that while engineers currently plan for long
term safety and reliability, “decreasing maintenance is a great way to reduce
costs.”
“It's a rock solid network and it would be a tragedy to see it run
down ... Our members are proud to have designed our (electricity) network ... They
are community focussed and oppose privatisation.”
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