Staff are not permitted to comment publicly on the general meeting, but the Pastoral Times was told some wanted to speak out to “make a point that we are not happy”, and ask shareholders to consider their duty of care.
We believe there was talk of strike action, but this was dismissed amidst concerns around how it would be perceived.
The staff member, who we will call ‘Jenny’ (not her real name) explained: “We thought that if someone spoke anonymously (to the Pastoral Times) this was the best way to voice our frustrations”.
She said staff understand this is a matter for shareholders and under normal circumstances would not get involved.
‘Jenny’ said there are concerns with job security, especially among some who are “higher up in the organisation”.
A key issue with the general meeting is around sexual harassment complaints against one of the meeting’s requisitioning directors.
‘Jenny’ asked: “How can someone be in a position like that (as a director) after three sexual harassment complaints? There is a real concern if he is still in the organisation and is the most senior director on the board. It’s pretty concerning … it will ruin the culture at MIL which has been improving since Ron (CEO Ron McCalman) started.
“There has been a big shift (in culture) and people feel like they can do their job because they have the support around them.”
‘Jenny’ says staff are worried about what the culture may look like with a new board that does not include the majority of present directors.
If the ‘yes’ vote succeeds, the independent directors will be removed and the current chair Phil Snowden and deputy chair Lachlan Marshall have said they will resign.
“We believe the culture that we have developed will be destroyed, because someone who can treat staff in the way we have seen will be in a position of power in the company,” ‘Jenny’ said.
She said there was also anger around three directors talking about accountability, “but it’s only accountability when it suits them”.
“The two new directors are condoning past inappropriate behaviour. They are standing alongside someone who has three sexual harassment complaints, so they obviously think that is acceptable behaviour.
“What type of people think it’s okay to treat staff like that? I don’t think it speaks very highly of their ethics and morals, and they certainly don’t care about staff safety or accountability if this is who they want to be associated with.”
‘Jenny’ said MIL staff are proud of their achievements, including the water delivery efficiency and the financial stability that has been brought to the company.
“We’ve all been working extremely hard toward this … we have seen the changes and the improvements, and we’ve seen happy customers. For three directors to turn around and do this (call the meeting) is upsetting.”
She said while there have been suggestions that some staff would resign if the three requisitioning directors are in control, most would not be able to take this step for their own financial reasons.
“Where else would we get a job in town? Most will end up staying in what is likely to be a toxic workplace. I hope it doesn’t come to that.
“I think it is important for shareholders to know how we feel. And we want them to think about the message that supporting the resolution would send to women in our community … it’s pretty much saying it doesn’t matter how you treat people, you can still be in a position of power and everyone has to suck it up.
“It shouldn’t be that way. We hope it doesn’t come to that,” ‘Jenny’ said.
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