Media Release: Rail and Maritime Transport Union
Wednesday May 12, 2010

KiwiRail decision a slap in the face to rail workers

Rail workers are gutted by KiwiRail’s decision, announced a short time ago, to not bid for the construction of Auckland’s new electric trains, labeling it defeatism at its worst.

KiwiRail has $500 million for new electric multiple units and locomotives for Auckland, and economics consultancy BERL estimated last week that local construction of these would add between 770 to 1270 additional jobs and $232 to $250 million to GDP.

“KiwiRail’s decision is a slap in the face to hundreds of skilled rail workers in Dunedin and Lower Hutt,” Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson said.

“It seems there are only two people in New Zealand who think that the Hillside and Woburn workshops can’t build these trains – Jim Quinn and Steven Joyce.  Everyone else believes that the work should stay in New Zealand.”

“Rail workers are keen to do this work, and the economic case backs them up.”

“This is defeatism at its worst.  We are now calling on the Prime Minister to consider the national interest in this decision and take all steps possible to ensure this work is done locally.”

Ends.
 

© Scoop Media