Job Scrapped As Changes Hit Head On
Newcastle Herald
Saturday September 10, 2005
GLENDALE panel beater Michael Goldsworthy is looking for a job after falling victim to the NRMA Insurance smash repair industry shake-up.
Mr Goldsworthy, who is deaf, had worked at Jackson Bros Wallsend Smash Repairs for three years.He and his wife Linda, who is also deaf, have three children, a mortgage and two cars to pay off.Jackson Bros said it had to lay off Mr Goldsworthy and three other casuals because of a new internet-based tendering system that Insurance Australia Group introduced through its NRMA Insurance brand.Mr Goldsworthy often communicates through his 13-year-old daughter Lara, who knows sign language."It's unfair," he said through Lara."I've been looking for a job, but it's really quiet."I've got bills to pay. It's been very stressful."Mr Goldsworthy said he had enjoyed his panel beating job as it was close to home and he was accepted by his co-workers.Jackson Bros partner Marita Jackson said she was sad to let Mr Goldsworthy go as he was a good worker.Mrs Jackson said NRMA Insurance had provided 75 per cent of her company's business but it had to cut ties with NRMA because the new system was unworkable and unprofitable."We would have been quoting for jobs all day and never gotten any work," she said.Mrs Jackson said it was awful to tell Lara that there was no work for her dad.
© 2005 Newcastle Herald