CPSU state secretary Thirza White said staff in Building Tasmania and the Department of Premier and Cabinet were called into meetings with minimal warning and shown organisational charts where their roles had disappeared. 'Some people walked in and were shown an organisational chart where their role wasn't on that … what we hear from others is that they're walking in and the team is six, and now the team is three,' she said.
'What we have is a government and agencies that are drip-feeding information and what workers deserve and need is clarity around what the new structure is.'
The restructure has seen State Growth renamed Building Tasmania with a narrower infrastructure focus, and many of its former functions transferred to the Department of Premier and Cabinet. While 111 workers had already accepted voluntary redundancies, staff were told on Monday that another 150 jobs would be cut. Those workers will be offered voluntary redundancies or placed on a redeployment list, which could lead to dismissal after six months.
The government is expected to release more detailed plans on Wednesday afternoon, including organisational charts and a list of required roles. However, Minister responsible for Building Tasmania Kerry Vincent said he had not yet seen the documents. 'We, as always, are keen to work through with everybody involved to make sure that we are driving efficiencies through the public service,' he said.
Pressed on whether the process had been mishandled, Mr Vincent said: 'I feel for everybody in the system because change is always difficult for some to adjust to.'