Post by ferryfast admin on Oct 20, 2007 14:12:09 GMT -5
Builders in battle to recruit workers
Article from: The Sunday Tasmanian
MICHAEL STEDMAN
October 21, 2007 01:00am
INCAT has fired a warning shot across the bow of new arrival Austal as the two shipbuilders enter into a labour-market war.
Western Australia-based Austal bought the operations of North-West Bay Ships at Margate last year and wants to increase its Tasmanian workforce from 90 to at least 300 within 18 months.
Incat has made no secret of its own plans to expand as it supplies the European fast ferry market in which Austal has long been a major competitor.
The existence of both aluminium shipbuilders within 20km of Hobart city centre has put unprecedented demand on skilled and apprentice aluminium fabricators, engineers and electricians.
Incat is hoping its long history in Hobart will give it the edge with workers.
The company has issued a subtle warning that Austal's track record is unproven.
"Incat is a secure, long-term and established employer in Tasmania with great working conditions and in close proximity to Hobart," boss Craig Clifford said.
"We will keep going with our commitment to employing and training Tasmanians as opposed to an interstate company trying to take advantage of what has been established here.
"When times are not as good it remains to be seen if their commitment is there for Tasmania and Tasmanians."
In an attempt to calm the waters, Austal chief operating officer Steve Murdoch said there was room for both companies.
With Austal workers heavily poached by mineral companies in the West, he said he had no interest in creating a similar bidding war in Tasmania.
"If we had come to Tasmania simply to take resources from them (Incat), it would be game on and we would be splashing money all over the place -- but let's have a look at what we have done," Mr Murdoch said.
"We have not escalated wages to poach labour, we have kept jobs from the existing operation and imported people from the east coast, west coast and New Zealand."
He could count the number of former Incat staff now working at Margate "on one hand".