The fight for close to 100 jobs at Southland disAbility Enterprises (SdE) is continuing, two weeks after it was revealed it looks likely to lose its contract with Wastenet to sort and process the region's recycling.

A meeting was held last week at SdE's Invercargill facility, with close to 60 parents and supporters turning up to voice their concerns.

Mother of one of the employees Lynda Mooij said the parents were focused on ensuring they would be heard "as loud as possible" when it came to protesting the decision.

She said plans for a march in the city were continuing, and they would also be emailing all councillors from the Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council and Gore District Council to protest the decision.

"We're going to continue to lobby hard and we want to be seen that we're doing things professionally and properly. We've all got to get together as a community and just ram them with emails and God knows what else."

Advocate South

A memo sent to staff and stakeholders a fortnight ago by SdE chairman Stephen O'Connor and general manager Hamish McMurdo said they were breaking the confidentiality requirements of the tender terms to inform staff and stakeholders that they had been formally notified SdE had not been selected as the preferred provider for the Wastenet contract.

A large level of community support has followed the news, with a petition against the decision already attracting more than 18,000 signatures.

Invercargill MP Sarah Dowie, who attended and spoke at the meeting, said she felt the meeting went well.

“The group was constructive and came together well to formulate an advocacy plan which will highlight SdE’s strengths for consideration... while staff and their families are worried about their future, they are resolute in fighting for their cause. SdE is a wonderful not-for-profit which not only gives people with disabilities meaningful employment but has an environmental ethos also. The camaraderie of the team means that workers are family, which is why it’s supporters are so passionate about fighting any negative decision.” 

SdE also received the full support from the Southland Chamber of Commerce, with chief executive Sheree Carey saying the loss of the contract would have a huge financial impact on the region.

“I encourage councillors to vote with humanitarianism in mind and not base their decision on money alone. They have a social responsibility to their community. Are any savings worth the social cost to our community?”

The Chamber of Commerce is currently surveying its members on their thoughts on the closure, with comments from the survey to be passed on to the councils.