Union representatives and workers from Sydney and Newcastle met with Defence Department Officials in Canberra on Wednesday, to discuss the importance of awarding upcoming defence maintenance contracts to local firms.

National Secretary, Dave Oliver, told defence officials that a broader range of factors than simply cost should be taken into consideration when deciding where to carry out defence contract work.

Hundreds of workers rallied in Sydney and Newcastle last week warning that
awarding the maintenance contract on the HMAS Success to an overseas firm would cost the Federal Government more than it saves, and could result in the loss of hundreds of jobs.

“The contract for the HMAS Success alone would sustain up to 400 jobs and prevent layoffs between now and when much larger contracts are due next year,” Dave Oliver said.

“It would mean ongoing work for a skilled workforce, including the training of apprentices, instead of layoffs and reduced capability in the industry.”

Delegates from Sydney’s Garden Island and the Carrington Dockyards in Newcastle also attended the meetings with representatives of APESMA and the NUW.

Dave Oliver said that it was important that the experience of workers was taken into account in the process.

Garden Island Delegate, Brian Hague, and Newcastle delegate, Benny Hill said that the contracting out of work often led to skilled workers leaving the industry, and once they were gone it was difficult to get them back.

“Defence work is highly specialised,” Brian Hague said. “Regular work is vital to keeping up skills and our ability to carry out this work in Australia.”

The Defence Materiel Organisation is expected to make its recommendation on the HMAS Success contract within the next few weeks.

It is then up to the Minister, Jason Clare, to make a final decision.

The AMWU has also called for Mr Clare to take a broader view on the job and skill retention factors.