Rail Carve Up Threatens Grafton Jobs

Grafton area rail workers face wholesale job cuts as the Howard Government moves to take over the state’s rural rail track and contract out track maintenance, unions have warned.

Under the deal, the rural rail network would be handed over to the federal government in a bid to turn it into a cash cow for Canberra.

Combined Rail Unions hold a 'Keep Our Railway Together' campaign at Market Square at noon on Tuesday November 11.

Speakers at the rally include: NSW Labor Council secretary deputy assistant secretary Michael Gadiel, RTBU organiser Dough Klineberg and ALP endorsed candidate for Clarence Terry Flanaghan.

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 South Grafton Ex-Servicemen's Club at 5.00pm

NSW Labor Council secretary John Robertson warned 1500 rural jobs, many in the Hunter region, 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," Mr Gadiel said.

"Where this has been tried overseas the results have been disastrous - with massive job losses and decreased safety leading to rail fatalities."

Grafton 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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