Media Release: Rail and Maritime Transport Union

Friday June 7, 2013

Jim Quinn departure a concerning sign

Jim Quinn’s departure from KiwiRail risks a loss of momentum in health and safety and worker participation improvements at the SOE, the Rail & Maritime Transport Union said today.

KiwiRail’s board have this morning announced that Chief Executive Jim Quinn’s contract will not be renewed when it expires in February 2014.

RMTU General Secretary Wayne Butson said that despite normal differences of opinion over matters and healthy robust debate, the union and Jim Quinn have worked to develop a productive relationship.

“Jim Quinn has been willing to listen and work with us, and has been good at listening to communities and other stakeholders,” Wayne Butson said.

“Rail is a dangerous industry. Under Jim Quinn’s leadership KiwiRail has embraced health and safety and is working hard to improve their performance in this area. Jim Quinn’s departure risks a loss of momentum around health and safety in KiwiRail.”

“A critical element of good health and safety is to have informed and engaged employees. Jim Quinn was clearly committed to this. An incoming CEO will need to ensure they understand and take seriously the steps to control high hazard work.”

Wayne Butson said that the union was also deeply concerned that the departure of Jim Quinn may be a signal that the State Owned Enterprise would increase the use contractors to replace employees, and make further cuts to the national rail network.

“This would be a huge step backwards. We are already suffering a loss of key staff in the Infrastructure and Engineering division, which KiwiRail’s own internal business plan stated would lead to a decline in track standard.”

“If the announcement today signals a hardening of approach from the Board and a drive for rapid profit-focussed change, then the public will need to be on guard to defend their public rail asset from being run into the ground,” Wayne Butson said.

Ends.

© Scoop Media