Article: QR workers may strike over privatisation fears

[ozbob]

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QR workers may strike over privatisation fears

QR workers may strike over privatisation fears
Article from: The Courier-Mail

Alex Dickinson and Rosemary Odgers

April 04, 2008 12:28pm

COMMUTERS could face further chaos on the rail network amid speculation Queensland Rail is set to be privatised.
QR workers are considering industrial action over moves to restructure the government-owned corporation.

Emergency talks will continue today between the major rail unions and the government following news that QR will be split into several subsidiary companies.

Union officials, who met with Transport Minister John Mickel yesterday, claim the move could be the first step to privatisation and job losses.

Mr Mickel's spokesman yesterday said there were were no plans to privatise QR.

However, Rail Tram and Bus Union Secretary Owen Doogan said he received no such assurances at the meeting with the Minister.

"We need guarantees but hopefully that's what we'll get on Friday," he said.

Mr Doogan would not rule out strike action.

"The response we get on Friday will be vitally important to the path we take. But we will have to look at all our options," he said.

Mr Doogan said the QR had acted illegally by neglecting to inform the unions earlier about the specifics of the changes.

"It's currently in the hands of our solicitors," he said.

A QR spokesman said the company was surprised at the response of the unions.

"These structural arrangements are a normal part of contemporary business," he said.

He said the subsidiary companies would focus on the separate aspects of QR's business - namely freight, passenger, network and services.

Mr Mickel met with QR chief executive Lance Hockridge late yesterday to discuss the restructure ahead of today's meeting with the unions.

Electrical Trades Union organiser Jason Young said: "Where we've seen this happen in the past it's the precursor to privatisation."

"Obviously we have some concerns about that."

Mr Young said employees had been told they would be transferred to the companies, but their future was uncertain.

"These companies are $2 shelf companies," Mr Young said.

"They hold no assets. QR Limited, being a parent company, will hold all assets and these other companies can and have in other industries been run into the ground and then sold off.

"We've asked minister Mickel to put an immediate moratorium in place so that this stops and we can sit down and see the business plan."

Mr Young said industrial action was possible.

The spokesman for Mr Mickel said QR would be split into five subsidiary companies but it would not affect employees.

"Employees' rights are protected ... (and) will transfer to these new subsidiary companies," he said.

The possible threat of strike action comes after train travel in the south-east corner has been chaotic in recent days following the introduction of a new timetable which has been widely criticised by commuters.

Sixty commuters were left stranded on the Ferny Grove line on Monday because of overcrowding, forcing an extra service to be put on, while other passengers have complained of large gaps in services, three-carriage trains during peak hour as well as poor connections.

  with AAP

[ozbob]

RAIL Back On Track does not support privatisation of QR. 

We have seen the devastating results of privatisation in Victoria of VR and have no wish to see that process and consequence inflicted on Queensland.

Competition and open access is well established.  QR is competing well not only in Queensland but nationally.

Let's hope the assurances that the RTBU and others seek are forthcoming, for the benefit of all.

Admin