Thales Production Shutdown Leaves 153 Bendigo Workers Without Pay
"It's just outrageous"
153 Thales Production staff are at risk of being stood down without pay for the entire month of April due to an issue with engine supply. Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters is demanding answers from the Federal Liberal Government.
“It’s just outrageous. The Hawkei contract is a $1.6 billion Federal Government contract, how on earth did the Government let it be mismanaged in this way?”- Lisa Chesters
She continued that while some workers have long service and annual leave entitlement they can use during this period, many engaged to work on the project do not.
“These workers have families. They have bills to pay and food to put on the table. What would you do if you were told you would not be paid for a whole month? What is the Government going to do to keep our local workers in jobs? They should be working to prevent any forced stand downs without pay.”- Lisa Chesters
Chesters said she hopes defence manufacturing has a future in Bendigo as successful as its past, and claimed that she will do what she can "to hold the Liberal Government to account".
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