Southern Jobs In Rail Firing Line

Southern NSW Rail Towns 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 370 jobs in the region hang in the balance under plans to turn rural lines into a cash cow for the Federal Parliament.

Wagga stands to lose 200 jobs, Griffith faces the loss of 16 jobs, Narrandra 17, Cootamundra 75, West Wyalong 15, Temora 15 and Harden 33. Junee also faces an unspecified number of cuts.

Combined Rail Unions will hold a 'Keep Our Railway Together' rally in Bolton Park, Wagga at noon on Wednesday November 20 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 Wagga Leagues Club ay 5.00pm.

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."

Southern 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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