Water Corp workers protest job outsourcing

Disgruntled Water Corporation employees have made a stand against job outsourcing with a protest at Water Minister Mia Davies’ office in Havelock St today.

The employees, who are members of union United Voice, dumped bottles of dirty water on the steps of Ms Davies' office, which they said symbolised “what WA water will look like if the state government keeps outsourcing water and slashing jobs”.

Assistant secretary of United Voice WA Pat O’Donnell argued some of the contractors being given work with Water Corporation didn’t adhere to Water Corp’s zero harm policy.

“Water Corp is exceedingly profitable for this state government yet they continue to compromise quality when they outsource jobs,” he said.

Programmed, a Water Corporation contractor, announced it would be making 14 staff redundant next week, and warned there would be more to come.

“The Water Corp is slashing its skilled workers, and that’s when mistakes happen,” Mr O’Donnell said.

United Voice said it wants the state government to put employees first and stop outsourcing their jobs.