CHAOS rules the CSIRO in Griffith today, with staff receiving mixed messages about whether the research facility will close.
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Paul Girdler, national organiser for the CSIRO Staff Association, said he was "absolutely astonished" there might be plans to close the Griffith laboratory, especially when it was currently finalising $3 million worth of external contracts for research.
Mr Girdler said there had been confirmation in writing and over the phone from CSIRO management about the proposed closure of the facility, but then this morning staff received an email stating no final decision had been made.
"It seems management aren't speaking with each other about what is going on...it's in chaos," Mr Girdler said.
"The staff are obviously concerned, but also hopeful that common sense will prevail."
Mr Girdler said there were 10 CSIRO employees at the facility, which was established in 1924 and is now also the home of Murrumbidgee Irrigation Ltd, the irrigation water supplier for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA).
Downsizing at CSIRO facilities in Culgoora near Narrabri and at Parkes had been confirmed, although the exact number of jobs to be lost was still unknown, he said.
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
