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TWU takes on Defence over removals contracts

TWU begins new campaign targeting Defence Department over its "second rate" removalist contracts

December 14, 2009

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is calling for improved services for defence personnel as they move houses, saying they are being provided with a “second rate” service by the government.

According to TWU spokesman Mark Crosdale the Department of Defence is pursuing a policy of awarding the work to the lowest price contractor, resulting in a high level of dissatisfaction among military workers.

“The bottom line is that a quality removals service costs a little more but if you consider that in the context of the whole Defence budget it is not that much,” Crosdale says.

“Defence personnel and their families make huge sacrifices in the service of this country. The least the Department of Defence can do is to ensure the highest standards of safety and professionalism when they contract out those furniture moving services.

“Many defence families are not happy with the Defence Department removals process with half the people surveyed to day saying that the poor quality of removals has made them consider leaving the defence forces.”

The TWU is calling on the RSL to back the campaign.

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