Eliminating traditional employment: troubleshooters available in the building and meat industries

The recent cost and competitive pressures, and concomitant legitimacy ascribed to all elements of deregulation, have encouraged employers in Australia to seek new forms of the use of labour. The Troubleshooters system has been one such new form, wherein an agency has supplied contract workers to firms, but where no apparent employment relationship exists. The implementation and outcomes of the Troubleshooters system in parts of the building and meat industries are examined to consider whether there are any particular features which enhance this form of labour use. It is concluded that the nature of product markets and production processes are salient features in choosing the Troubleshooters system. but these are not without difficulties.