Originally Posted by
Fareastdriver
You will find that the caterers will have a clause in their contract that forbids any other organisation from providing any form of catering on the unit.
If those caterers do not provide a service that meets the requirements of the personnel of that unit, as highlighted by LJ above, then that contract should be challenged.
That is exactly what OC 48 Sqn at RAF Changi did in the mid 60's, when NAAFI suddenly stopped providing night time refreshments to his First Line Servicing personnel. NAAFI went ballistic and sent out a senior manager from London. The Changi Station Commander supported the 48 Boss, saying that if his Sqn Cdrs told him that their operational efficiency was being adversely affected by the NAAFI's ban, then alternative sources of refreshments were essential.
The result was that a local contractor provided 24 Hr refreshments at First Line, and daytime ones to Sqn HQ, thereafter. An agreement produced a Price List, a monthly sub to the Sqn Fund, payment for public utilities consumed, and the balance to be retained by the contractor. This arrangement continued until 48 Sqn withdrew from Singapore I believe.
Of course, all of that needed the Powers of a Subordinate Commander that pertained then. The reduction of those powers, and creeping contractorization, is where it all started to go wrong I believe. Which brings us back to the sorry state of affairs instanced by LJ...