Dubbo Jobs In Rail Firing Line

Dubbo workers are fighting wholesale job cuts as the Howard Government moves to take over the state’s rural rail track and contract out track maintenance.

More than 250 jobs in the Parkes-Dubbo region would hang in the balance under plans to turn rural lines into a cash cow for the Federal Parliament.

Combined Rail Unions will hold a 'Keep Our Railway Together' rally in Dubbo ay noon on Tuesday November 19 at Victoria Park.

Unions will also screen 'The Navigators' a movie dramatising the experience of contracting out rail maintenance in British Rail. It will be shown at the Railway Bowling Club.

NSW Labor Council secretary John Robertson warned 1500 rural jobs around the state would be lost if the take-over went ahead.

"The Australian Rail Track Corporation wants take over the rail tracks, break up the network and force workers to bid against each other to keep their jobs," he said. "Where this has been tried overseas the results have been disastrous - with massive job losses and decreased safety leading to rail fatalities."

Dubbo rail workers have established a Campaign Committees to fight the changes and are seeking community support through a petition to be delivered to the NSW Premier Bob Carr later this month.

"We are calling on the Premier to reject outright any move to give up control of NSW rail track and commit to a single chain of command controlling this important public asset."

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