North West Jobs In Rail Firing Line

North West rail 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 130 jobs in the region would hang in the balance under plans to turn rural lines into a cash cow for the Federal Parliament.

North west Rail Towns including Narrabri, Moree, Tamworth and Werris Creek would all face significant job losses, while Binneway would be decimated if rail jobs were cut.

Combined Rail Unions will hold a 'Keep Our Railway Together' campaign at Collins Park, Narrabri at noon on Thursday November 14.

Speaker include Tamworth TLC president Tania Carter, Narrabri ALP member Anne Murnane and NSW Labor Council's Michael Gadiel.

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 Narrabri Golf Club at 5.00pm

Mr Gadiel 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."

North West 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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