ACC Denial Of Sirva Connection Untrue

Thu, 16 Sep 2004

ACC DENIAL OF SIRVA CONNECTION PROVEN UNTRUE

An email dated 17.8.04 from Greymouth ACC manager John Doidge denying the existence of any connection between ACC and international re-location organisation SIRVA is flatly contradicted by recent revelations that Pickfords Records Management whose parent company is SIRVA were involved in losing ACC records on Dunedin streets last week.

Mr. Doidge was answering an enquiry from David Tranter who spotted the driver of a SIRVA company car photographing an ACC protest outside the Greymouth ACC office earlier this year. Mr. Doidge's email read, "In response to your email I have checked with corporate office and been advised that ACC has no relationship with SIRVA and has not retained their services. If you have any concerns you may wish to raise the matter with the police".

In contrast the Otago Daily Times reported as follows; "Graham Sutcliffe, managing director of Pickford's parent company, Server (sic) New Zealand, said he was extremely concerned about the incident and an investigation had been undertaken. It had been in contact with its client, ACC......" The outcome of an investigation would not be made public because, according to Mr. Sutcliffe, "it was a matter between the company and its client only".

The crucial question arising here is why, as stated by an ACC branch manager, ACC's corporate office denied any connection with an organisation of which it is now revealed they are a client? During my correspondence with Mr. Sutcliffe on the matter of the photographing of the Greymouth ACC protest he referred only to the Pickford's people happening to see the protest by chance while visiting "West Coast clients" and after first admitting that it happened he then suggested I retract the story in return for a copy of the photograph taken, a suggestion I obviously declined Mr. Tranter said. Enquiries to ACC Minister Ruth Dyson regarding the connection between SIRVA and ACC have to date received no response.

ENDS

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