Train Worker Jobs On The Line 300 Face The Sack By April

Sun Herald

Sunday February 10, 2008

By Nat Wallace

A TOP-LEVEL meeting tomorrow will try to prevent the loss of up to 300 Hunter train manufacturing jobs.

The State Government, unions and two train-building companies are in the middle of a mess over contracts that are about to end, and delays to the beginning of others, which could leave jobs hanging.

Construction of the new Oscar passenger trains at United Group's works at Broadmeadow is expected to wind up in April, leaving workers out of a job.

Rival Cardiff company Downer EDI had given a commitment to employ those workers after gaining a $3.6 billion contract for 626 double-decker suburban train cars for the Government.

But the work, which will be the largest public-private partnership (PPP) in Australia's history, is not due to start until at least March 2009.

Steve Murphy from the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union said unions had long feared workers at United Group would be made redundant when the Oscar contract ended. Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery and Newcastle MP Jodie McKay will meet Downer EDI executives at their Cardiff workshop tomorrow.

Ms Hornery said they recognised the union's concerns about a "large timing gap" between jobs.

"I'll be doing all I can to protect the workers," she said.

"It's very important that the apprentices especially do not end up jobless and without qualifications."

But Mr Murphy said if the Government decided to bring on two foreshadowed contracts, then workers' jobs might not be at risk.

He said the Government had an option to extend the Oscar fleet contract and start refurbishment work on the ageing Tangara trains, which had reached their 20-year life span.

"I don't know whether the State Government doesn't have any money but they're happy to toy with workers and commuters," he said.

Ms McKay said it was important to remember the Government had awarded the Hunter the largest ever PPP contract.

She said the United Group was running a "behind the scenes" campaign for more work because the company didn't win a huge new contract.

When approached for comment on Friday, the United Group wanted to distance itself from the union's claim, but would not make a public statement.

But at this stage, it appears certain at least 170 direct jobs and 130 indirect jobs could be lost in six months.

© 2008 Sun Herald

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