Members of staff appear to backtrack over stratagem following closure of site (9)

I believe the answer is:

employees

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'members of staff' is the definition.
'employees' can be an answer for 'staff' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'members of' bit.

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for employees that I've seen before include "Workers" , "Workforce" , "People on the payroll" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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