NBN contractor announces more layoffs in $41bn Tasmania project

Another round of layoffs has been announced by an NBN contractor today with sixty workers abruptly fired.

Another round of layoffs has been announced by a National Broadband Network contractor today with sixty workers abruptly fired from the $41bn project and unions warning it will slow the already troubled roll out.

The workers who had been building the network in Tasmania were unexpectedly served notices of redundancy by primary contractor Visionstream, which has a $300m contract to build the high speed broadband network in Tasmania.

The layoffs follow the sacking of 100 workers in May which occurred when Visionstream tore up its contract with sub-contractor Qfibre. It’s understood Qfibre still owes around $100,000 in unpaid wages, entitlements and superannuation.

Visionstream said it was “now in the advanced stages of the NBN construction in Tasmania” so it needed to “change current staffing ratios”.

“We are consulting with our people on the impact of this review and meeting with individuals who may be impacted by the planned changes. It is expected that some personnel will be impacted by these changes and redeployment opportunities will be sought for these people.”

Including subcontractors, Visionstream employs around 500 people on the NBN rollout in Tasmania.

However the union representing communications workers warned the “snap firing” would slow the pace of the rollout, damaging worker morale and leading to an increase in illegal sub-contracting arrangements.

“This is another loss for both Tasmanian internet users and those working on the NBN rollout,” CEPU secretary Trevor Gauld said.

The CEPU understands that workers were informed by emailed on Friday night that company was considering restructuring its Tasmanian operations. They hear nothing further until a snap 11am meeting this morning.

“Initially Visionstream locked the gates of the Hobart depot and refused the workers access to union representation” Mr Gauld said.

“They read a list of 40 names who were told to wait while everyone else was sent back to work. One by one, they called the 40 workers into a room and told them consultation was finished and their employment was terminated effective immediately”.

Many of the workers had never seen the email or had any opportunity to discuss the restructure.

“Loyal employees who have for years endured waste and incompetence at Visionstream were terminated without warning or thanks.... it was a disgrace.”

In addition to the 40 Hobart workers, 20 were laid off in Launceston. Some of those laid off were direct employees of Visionstream, and others were labour hire workers, the union said.

However Visionstream said all workers were direct employees.

“We are concerned that these workers have been given the sack because Visionstream are trying to force them to be working further down the contracting food chain, where their pay rates, entitlements and treatment would be someone else’s problem,” Mr Gauld said.

“It’s time for proper oversight, compliance and governance in this project. Taxpayers need to know how their money is being spent, and whether they’re getting value for it.”

The workers who have been building the network in Tasmania were unexpectedly served notices of redundancy by primary contractor Visionstream which has a $300m contract to build the high speed broadband network in Tasmania.

The layoffs follow the sacking of 100 workers in May which occurred when Visionstream tore up its contract with sub-contractor Qfibre. It’s understood Qfibre still owes around $100,000 in unpaid wages, entitlements and superannuation.

Vision stream said it was “now in the advanced stages of the NBN construction in Tasmania” so it needed to “change current staffing ratios”.

“We are consulting with our people on the impact of this review and meeting with individuals who may be impacted by the planned changes. It is expected that some personnel will be impacted by these changes and redeployment opportunities will be sought for these people.”

Including subcontractors, Visionstream employs around 500 people on the NBN rollout in Tasmania.