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Post by lesterpk on Feb 23, 2012 2:51:04 GMT 12
www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6456759/Defence-staff-eye-leaving-as-morale-fallsMorale in the Defence Force has fallen to its lowest point in eight years and increasing numbers want to leave. A survey late last year, after more than 300 uniformed staff lost their jobs in the first round of proposed cuts, shows increasing dissatisfaction with pay and the erosion of conditions. A copy of the survey, obtained by The Dominion Post, says the number of people wanting to leave the military is significantly higher than it was two years ago. "Continuing drops in morale and recent drops in engagement are expected to have flow-on effects on performance and attrition." Morale among navy, army, air force and civilian personnel fell significantly over the year and personnel needed a reason to believe things would improve rather than worsen. Pride in belonging to the NZDF also fell significantly and only about half the 1179 who took part in the survey felt the military had the equipment needed to perform well in operations. Comments suggested there was a real "us v them" separation between those at the "coalface" and those in the "ivory towers/headquarters". Levels of commitment were also down. "Personnel felt relatively low obligation to stay in the NZDF. This may reflect a perception that recent changes in the organisation have altered the nature of the relationship between the NZDF and its personnel." There was a feeling it was not looking after people and that it had little concern for their views and feelings. Sentiment was represented by the comment: "I like working for the NZDF but the added stress of civilianisation and the constant threat of job losses would definitely make me seriously consider an outside job offer if one came along." Erosion of conditions pay, leave, accommodation and other allowances, superannuation, medical and dental care meant it was an increasingly less attractive place to work. Labour defence spokesman Iain Lees-Galloway said morale would have dropped even further after Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman's recent comment that people in defence needed to drop the attitude that it was a job for life. Mr Lees-Galloway said there was a serious danger the Defence Force was going to lose many of the skilled people it needed because of the appalling way it had handled the cost-cutting process, which was still falling short of achieving the target of saving $300 million to $400m a year.
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 9:19:50 GMT 12
Pretty sobering stuff really. I've got close friends who live in MQ at Hobby, they thought they had a good couple of years left there before the land is cleared by property developers. Now theyve just been told they probably have about 6 months or so.
Having to rent a place nearby, on pretty average wages as it is....equates to a pretty big pay cut in anyones language!Stressful for the whole family.
I'm encouraging them to bail out and look offshore. Getting dicked around big time by the clowns in Bullshit Castle is a great way to show your loyalty to someone who's served for so long!! GRRR
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2012 10:02:46 GMT 12
Well a lot of people here predicted this. It's sad to see.
Cheer up NZDF, we all love and respect you guys and girls. You're an amazing team of people who do so much for and get so little from the NZ public and its leaders. But you're not forgotten here.
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Post by fyl on Feb 23, 2012 11:41:13 GMT 12
Very sad to see...
And once again, the polititians sit there blaming each other!!
To quote Jonesy...GRRR...
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Post by Chris F on Feb 23, 2012 11:43:51 GMT 12
At the end of the day these are people with family's to support who do a fantastic job.
Real shame and the big picture is if you get your pay cheque via the state your job is on the line.
They dont care what you do who you are but they want big savings and they will cut and burn as they please to make this happen!
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 12:36:57 GMT 12
And this sort of nonsense will no doubt please the bean-counters who want a leaner/meaner NZDF-ie still covering the same commitments but with less overheads like housing,wages, super (have I misheard or have they scrapped the good super scheme, instead offering the pointless Kiwisaver?? Yet more cost cutting), quality equipment (cheap ship, anyone?) and so on... These drongos need to look first at Wellington, with all their Group Captains, Colonels, and Captain ranks sitting there doing sod all except passing time till their time is up and theyre due a good payout, dont you worry bout that boyo!  I'm angry (in case you couldnt tell  ) cos our guys are giving their all and now theyre getting shafted.... Off for a lie down now to lower my blood pressure  |
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Post by lesterpk on Feb 23, 2012 13:25:14 GMT 12
Ahh where to start....
Its exactly 6 months today since my terminal date, and the day we flew to Perth to start the next chapter in our life. I absolutely enjoyed 99% of my time in the RNZAF, it gave me and my family some amazing opportunities and experiences, but in the last year or so I could see the writing on the wall. Bugdets were an issue, prioritising the budget was an even bigger one. Cutbacks everywhere, you had to buy your own cough lollies etc, the 'free' medical stopped providing those basic pharmaceuticals. Everything was moved away from the front line and made tri-service. I had a question about my resignation and popped across the road to Admin, sorry, cant answer, you'll need to ring the help line etc. Its the little things that piss you off.
All the while bigger stuff was happeneing, in Auckland the MQ's are pretty much all going, been talk for 3-4 years of regional accommodation alowance to make up for AKL costs, but recently told bean counters found it too hard and would be unfair on those in cheaper places.
So, I was faced with having to rent in the local area, try $500-600 a week and increased travel costs, no pay increase for 3 years and warned of none to come in the near future. Nil prospects for promotion to get increased pay despite being cleared for 3 years.
Redundancies were looming, and with a long term medical issue, if my trade/rank was affected, likely to be one of the first sent down the road.
18% of my salary was going to my super fund, most of which the incompetent managers seemed to lose each year, how hard is it to stick it in goverment bonds and make 5-6% a year?? In the 2 months from when I submitted notice to leaving I lost $7K in super. Luckily I was on one of the older schemes that pays out when you leave, rather than the new Kiwisaver and its gone till you are 65. At least my lump sum covered the moving costs and I still have a house deposit left over.
The remarks in the article about disconnect between HQ and the coalface are spot on. A couple of weeks before leaving I sent a long email to the WONZDF with 3 things that directly contributed to my leaving, and suggested slight policy changes that would/could stop others from leaving over the same issue. Got a 'so long, thanks for you service' two line reply. Thats OK though, because god knows how many hours and $ were spent organising the Gay/Bi/Trans Forum instead.
Oh and its funny to hear all the senior officers and so harp on about how "our" people are our biggest asset while they cut 20% of them, no loyalty is shown and they are now finding they are getting none back in return. You can sign up for 20 years but be gone when they feel like with no recourse.
Anyhow, I sound like a grumpy old man (40 this year) but I do look forward to ANZAC Day here in Perth, I will be proudly marching with my medals and my fathers, and shooting the breeze with the old diggers over a beer or three.
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Post by lesterpk on Feb 23, 2012 13:34:16 GMT 12
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Post by the_flying_surfer on Feb 23, 2012 13:45:55 GMT 12
lester - got any contacts for getting work over that way!?!?! Many more in the pipeline I think you will find |
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 14:06:37 GMT 12
lester - got any contacts for getting work over that way!?!?! Many more in the pipeline I think you will find seek.com.au has everything you need. I just got back from Perth this week. had 4 job interviews for mining work, so am positive about returning soon. As far as crossing over work to mining, you may find that Avionics trade has a good deal there, a lot of modern mining equipment is wired up with pretty high-tech gear that requires regular work. Mate of mine that I stayed with there is sparky working in the Pilbara on $52/hr 2 on,1 off. Chuck the super ON TOP of that and youre pretty sweet. lesterpk may be able to give more insight from an aviation perspective over there? PS I just LOVED Perth, practically fizzing at the bung to get back!! ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2012 14:07:10 GMT 12
Yes. It always felt like that in my time, HQ in Wellington was always on another planet from the flightline who actually did what an Air Force does. I'm sure the shiny bums in RNZAF HQ only ever heard the opinons of Squadron Leaders and above from the bases, no-one who really knew what was going on. And you never saw anyone from Wellington visit sections and ask how things were going, what we needed, etc. Or from Base HQ for that matter. But I really get the impression that nowadays the gap has widened even moreso. There are less people on the flightline doing all the work and it seems those at the top are more career politicians and civil servants then Air Force workers, care even less about the guys and girls in the hangars and aircrews. Their only concerns are how to trim them back further so their budgets work and they retain their own position. Perhaps they need to trim most of headquarters shiny-bums and the Air Force will work a lot better. That is just sad. When I was about to get out I was called to the CO's office, he made me a cup of coffee, sat me down and pleaded with me to stay. He was saying what great reports he'd had on my work from both Wigram and Ohakea. I'd never met him before but it was a lovely gesture, which didn't work as I was determined to go. Huh? |
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 14:10:12 GMT 12
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Post by lesterpk on Feb 23, 2012 15:51:37 GMT 12
As jonesy said, seek.com.au is where you'll find jobs. Register and set yourself up some searchs to be emailed each day or two. Use generic words like aviation rather than aircraft mechanic for example.
Heard the other day the 150 people are day are settling here, and the rental market is tight, not many around, think we were lucky to get our one when we did.
Downsides - yes its f-ing hot if you are in an outside job, 40c is not unusual over the last few months. Lucky for me I work in an aircon'd workshop and really only notice the heat when I walk to the car to get lunch. The mining boom shows no sign of stopping, get your quals (almost any industry) and come on over. If you are prepared to fly in, fly out (FIFO) then you can make good $ doing even basic jobs in the mines like kitchenhand etc. Do your homework properly on the cost of living and work out what you need to earn to have the lifestyle you want and work from there. Semi skilled work starts around $25-30 an hour.
Anyone seriously looking at coming over, PM me. Having just done it I know what you need to consider/do and can help out.
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 23, 2012 16:15:38 GMT 12
Aircraft work attracts between $50 and $75 per hour, depending on your ratings and location. (They would be contract rates...)
It may come down to the car and accommodation package offered. Some places can be damn expensive to live. Look up house rentals in Broome..
The good thing about coming from NZ is that the destination can often be reasonably flexible.
It may be more difficult to gain employment in some places compared to others.
If you are prepared to move about a bit it will be much easier.
I have always enjoyed Perth though, the downside being the hot and cold thing Lester spoke of.
To be honest.. I think a few of the guys in the mob were professional grumblers, - they were the ones that sounded off but were too afraid to actually pull the pin.
From my experience the individual just knows when the time is right for them.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2012 16:45:16 GMT 12
Downsides - yes its f-ing hot if you are in an outside job, 40c is not unusual over the last few months. My mate is in the British Army and recently spent six and a half months in Afghanistan. He said the hottest day he had here was 59C, and he was in full battle kit, and had to sprint for his life in one of the daily firefights with Taleban. So now when I think it's hot here at 29C I think of that and don't feel so bad. Like anything, you adapt and get used to it. He said while waiting to leave Afghanistan just before Christmas it had dropped to 30C. Everyone in his group were freezing, had all their jumpers and balaclavas on, etc. The new group arrived straight from Europe and he said they were all stripping down and complaining they were melting in the heat! |
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Post by beagle on Feb 23, 2012 17:58:53 GMT 12
Aircraft work attracts between $50 and $75 per hour, depending on your ratings and location. (They would be contract rates...) It may come down to the car and accommodation package offered. Some places can be damn expensive to live. Look up house rentals in Broome.. The good thing about coming from NZ is that the destination can often be reasonably flexible. It may be more difficult to gain employment in some places compared to others. If you are prepared to move about a bit it will be much easier. I have always enjoyed Perth though, the downside being the hot and cold thing Lester spoke of. To be honest.. I think a few of the guys in the mob were professional grumblers, - they were the ones that sounded off but were too afraid to actually pull the pin. From my experience the individual just knows when the time is right for them. Yep just checked out one site and would be looking at minimum $700 per week rent for the same as the house we own here |
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 18:58:55 GMT 12
Aircraft work attracts between $50 and $75 per hour, depending on your ratings and location. (They would be contract rates...) It may come down to the car and accommodation package offered. Some places can be damn expensive to live. Look up house rentals in Broome.. The good thing about coming from NZ is that the destination can often be reasonably flexible. It may be more difficult to gain employment in some places compared to others. If you are prepared to move about a bit it will be much easier. I have always enjoyed Perth though, the downside being the hot and cold thing Lester spoke of. To be honest.. I think a few of the guys in the mob were professional grumblers, - they were the ones that sounded off but were too afraid to actually pull the pin. From my experience the individual just knows when the time is right for them. Yep just checked out one site and would be looking at minimum $700 per week rent for the same as the house we own here You must have a pretty flash house then mate! We're loking at 500/week for 4 bedroom & a pool (the only way I could get the missus to agree to move over!!) |
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 23, 2012 19:12:35 GMT 12
I think rents in Derby could easily be $1500 for a house. I know I had friends paying $1200 in Darwin. www.realestate.com.au/rent/in-derby,+wa+6728/list-1 There are a couple of expensive ones here but also some that may be classed as cheapies. I am surprised to see some that cheap there. I am paying $370 pw for an unfurnisjed 2 br townhouse in Darwin. I am very happy with that, - there is a lot worse about. |
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Post by jonesy on Feb 23, 2012 19:15:51 GMT 12
Yeah I looked at Broome as was closer to site but they were bout 1000/wk. I'm gonna be happy to live in Perth thats for sure!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2012 20:10:04 GMT 12
$1000 per week is $52,000 a year. You might as well buy the house! Sell it one when you leave and make a quid.
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) cos our guys are giving their all and now theyre getting shafted....
