Feelings toward Defence Contract companies

[gnplummer421]

Possibly a touchy question, but.......

I worked for a Company called CBO (Canadian Base Operators) in Meaford for a spell, but the pay was low, and I was able to get a better job. My question is this; What is the feeling by serving members towards civilians working on Army stuff (vehicles, weapons etc.) and have you had any negative run-ins with any folks representing these companies.

Thanks,

B

 

[1feral1]

In Australia a company called Tenix-Toll Defence Logistics has taken a national role in maintenance and logistics in major Defence Centres.

Units still have Army armourers and mechanics, but Wksp sized places basically are all civilian contractors usually ran (at Coy level) by former Army members.

Although new at this (2004), they are experiencing low numbers in qualified personnel (Armourers for example) as thye refuse to pay them a decent wage. Hence why ther is no takers. I do beleive starting at about $18/hr (Lower than a trainee RAEME CFN), where State government armourers for Police etc, are at about $23/hr and better perks and super too.

They are swamped in an abundance of backloaded stuff, and at times (to meet ADF timings) have to 'contract out' to consortiums of former Army armourers who pay over $30/hr casually. Army armourers are taking leave, getting RO'd, and making extra bucks.

My 2 cents.

Wes

 

[gnplummer421]

Sounds like good money...I was doing 2nd and 3rd line (rebuild etc) wpns maint and getting $14.25/hr...not that good..they said it was good pay for the geographical location of the camp..now I make masking tape for a lot more than that...with great benefits and a pension plan...go figure.

B. :rocket:

 

[1feral1]

Sounds like good money...I was doing 2nd and 3rd line (rebuild etc) wpns maint and getting $14.25/hr...not that good..they said it was good pay for the geographical location of the camp..now I make masking tape for a lot more than that...with great benefits and a pension plan...go figure.

B. :rocket:

$14.25/hr! Mate thats shocking. I could not survive on that here. McDonalds pays over 21s starting $15-$16/hr here, but in Sydney its expensive to live, and in NSW it is the highest taxed state in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Here is an overview of what things cost here in Sydney.

Aussie dollar = about 77 cents US
Petrol -unleaded 92.9c/L and on the rise
LPG propane for cars 39c/L
LPG BBQ 9kg tank fill $15.00
Pizza Hut large $7.95
Big Mac $3.45
700ml bottle of Cdn Club $24.95
Ford Falcon Ute >$41,000
3 bdrm Townhouse near the beach from $510,000 - 600,000+. Our mortgage is $525/week between the two of us
Average house price in my area about $805,000 for a decent 3 bdrm home with garage on a good block of land
Rent for 1 bdrm flat on Cronulla beach from $180 per week
24 beer for $26
SCUBA air fills $5.00 each
Rent for a 45ft catamaran (sleeps 12) $900/day
Rent a Ford Falcon/ day about $70
A shopping cart of groceries + or - $10 from Canada
Distance to work return trip 75km/day for me from Cronulla to Holsworthy (no more now as I am posted interstate as of Monday  ;D) and 50km/day for my spouse - she is staying til the house sells.


Cheers,

Wes