MURRUMBIDGEE Irrigation (MI) has hit back at claims it will be transferring more than a dozen staff from Leeton to Griffith.
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It comes after the Australian Workers Union (AWU) claimed 15 staff members would have their jobs relocated.
However, in the company’s latest newsletter, MI chief executive officer Brett Jones fiercely played down the numbers.
“Let me be clear - Murrumbidgee Irrigation is committed to a long-term presence in Leeton,” he wrote.
“We are not losing or downgrading our Leeton office and reports stating we are transferring 15 staff to Griffith are not correct.
“In fact, only three permanent staff are changing their home base to Griffith.
“We are not downgrading our level of service to Leeton customers.”
Mr Jones’ comments come after Leeton shire mayor Paul Maytom last week called for more transparency from the company on what was happening.
“What we are doing is making some changes to increase value for all customers and continue doing things better,” Mr Jones said.
“We are refurbishing our Leeton office and depot area to make it a modern and contemporary work space and to reduce our running costs.
“This office facility was originally built to house five times the current staff levels. It is not efficient to keep running the office and depot the way we are, and ultimately this cost is borne by our customers.
“We are moving our project team back to Griffith as Leeton area works reduce in order to support work already commenced in in Benerembah, Wah Wah and Tabbita.
“The team were originally based in Griffith and have spent the last 12 months in Leeton working on the Main Canal and division three upgrade. Our project teams will continue to move locations as needed.”
MI has also increased its customer services officers in Leeton from one to two.
“At MI we recognise our customers’ needs are changing,” Mr Jones said.
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