Queensland Rail - job cuts

[ozbob]

Today in the Couriermail it is suggested that Queensland Rail may loose up to 2200 staff.

This is unconfirmed but sources suggest there will be some significant cuts.

Already announced with the reorganisation of TransLink and Passenger Services TMR is that Traveltrain services will be managed by TransLink.

This then effectively means a lot of staff in the long distance passenger train areas may go.  There may some further line closures and some  of the services ceased, eg. Westlander?  Inlander?  SOTO?

So I expect some cutbacks with maintenance crews and out depots.  Some administrative cuts.

Cutting at the coal face will certainly be counter productive.

I fully expect significant industrial action effecting public transport down the track as well.   The state is going to become an industrial battleground.  It won't be like the electricity dispute in 1985, but more targeted and long term.

[Stillwater]

The government seems to have gone about this in the wrong way.  Certainly, belt-tightening was necessary and jobs had to go.  The government seems to be on a mission to slash and burn before the budget, at which time the tree of government would have had many of its branches lopped and the premier would prefer to be talking about the green regrowth and the shower of blossom.

The consideration has been that such and such a number of jobs have to go in this department or that and then the individual jobs have been identified, rather than examining the efficiencies that could be made within departments and arriving at a number to go.

The consequences of saying 'off with their heads' to 2000 people here and 2900 people there means that the government may not be aware of the flow-on consequences.  Very soon the government arives at the position where it sacks a group of people without realising that action means key personnel are lost such that The Westlander may go -- or that manned stations may have to be shut, resulting in increased costs due to vandalism.  Not even CCTV stopped thieves stealing copper wiring recently.

Very clearly, frontline services will be affected.  It doesn't get more frontline than a regular Westlander service to country towns, for instance.  Sure, essential maintenance can be put off for a little while, but not to the extent that points and signals regularly fail.

Gosh, even in the sub-tropics, a hanging tendril of bougainvillea not trimmed by a maintenance crew member whose job no longer exists can bring the Brisbane's passenger network to a screaming holt.

[ozbob]

I have doubts if Queensland Rail will be able to maintain 15 minute weekday off peak frequency on the FG line, reliably, in this climate of cutbacks.

[WTN]

The introduction of FG 15 minute frequencies will probably be delayed. Mid-2013 would be my prediction.

[somebody]

Both sides of politics spin.  Government has a reason to talk up the economy heading in to an election, an incoming government has a reason to talk it down, to build up a war chest.

[somebody]

I think the Feds already have such powers.  "Public Sector Borrowing Requirement" springs to mind.

Qld could possibly have prevented Legacy Way from being built, or at least made them get someone to back some of the patronage forecasts, but they just chose not to.

[justanotheruser]

Very soon the government arives at the position where it sacks a group of people without realising that action means key personnel are lost

You mean like cityrail did when offering voluntary redundancies and they suddenly found themselves without a qualified lift operator so could not take rubbish from a CBD station to the street to be emptied! 

[ozbob]

Submitted to the Couriermail August 5

The Couriermail reported on Saturday that up to 2200 jobs may go at Queensland Rail.

At a time when most jurisdictions are improving rail options for freight and passenger services, Queensland appears headed into more transport failure.

The road system is already being broken to bits by large numbers of over-sized trucks. Road trauma is causing massive social and financial impacts.

Where practical we need to transfer freight back to rail. Queensland has an extensive rail network but it is grossly underutilised.  By investing in rail we will position Queensland for a safer, cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable transport future.  Investment in rail will be returned many, many times over.

[Fares_Fair]

Submitted to the Couriermail August 5

The Couriermail reported on Saturday that up to 2200 jobs may go at Queensland Rail.

At a time when most jurisdictions are improving rail options for freight and passenger services, Queensland appears headed into more transport failure.

The road system is already being broken to bits by large numbers of over-sized trucks. Road trauma is causing massive social and financial impacts.

Where practical we need to transfer freight back to rail. Queensland has an extensive rail network but it is grossly underutilised.  By investing in rail we will position Queensland for a safer, cost-efficient, environmentally sustainable transport future.  Investment in rail will be returned many, many times over.

+ ALL Sunshine Coast commuters ... in fact every commuter and freight user up to Cairns!

[somebody]

Maybe they will be able to remove some obstacles.

[ozbob]

http://www.ara.net.au/site/passenger-rail.php

Passenger rail
The True Value of Rail – Journey to a Better Australia

The deteriorating quality of Australia's land transport systems threatens Australia's economic prosperity and the quality of life of its citizens. For instance:

    traffic congestion costs $15 billion annually and is rising,
    many Australians continue to be socially excluded through inadequate transport systems,
    in 2009, 48.3 million tonnes of carbon emissions were emitted from road vehicles transporting passengers, and
    on average, there are 1500 road fatalities and more than 30,000 road injuries costing Australia $35 billion annually.

Clearly these challenges are serious and cannot be ignored. In addition, population growth will only add pressure to these issues, thereby crippling our cities' infrastructure and services.

The scale, geographical spread and impact of Australia's transport challenges demand a comprehensive national response. All levels of government need to act. The Federal Government needs to continue showing leadership in partnership with the States and key stakeholders to drive land transport system improvements.

Australia's ability to address these challenges is in jeopardy as our productivity is declining. With this in mind, the ARA commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to produce "The True Value of Rail" report. The report shows how greater investment in rail will help combat these challenges and provide a brighter future for Australia. The True Value of Rail Report found that:

    One passenger train can take 525 cars on the road and is equivalent to 3.2 million vehicle kilometres annually or 1000 trips Sydney to Perth,
    in one year, one passenger train reduces carbon emissions by the same amount as planting 320 hectares of trees, and
    one passenger train reduces accident costs by an amount that could fund 130 hospital visits, 505 hospital beds per day, or 6 doctors for one year.

Governments must consider all relevant costs and benefi¬ts of each transport mode when deciding future investments in transport. All levels of governments must act now to provide long-term solutions to these challenges of our time.

==================

http://www.ara.net.au/site/Freight-rail.php

Freight on rail
National Freight Strategy and the Role of Rail

Business as usual practices in the freight transport industry will no longer be sufficient to ensure Australia's international competitiveness in light of the challenges posed:

    The doubling of the land freight task by 2020, and the tripling of the task by 2050;
    The projected growth of Australia's population to 35 million by 2050;
    The resultant road congestion issues (projected to cost Australia $30 billion p.a. by 2020);
    The resultant scarcity of urban land;
    The inefficiencies caused by the large volume, often inconsistent and duplicative regulations;
    Increasing cost of liquid fuels; and
    The move towards a carbon restricted economy.

The National Freight Strategy advocates a multi-modal solution to the challenges facing freight transportation.

The right mode should be utilised for the task at hand taking into consideration the economic, environmental, reliability and safety performance of that mode.
Why put freight on rail?

    Rail is the most cost effective mode of transport for inter-capital containerised freight movements.
    Rail is considerably more energy efficient than road transport; therefore, reducing Australia's dependence on oil imports.
    Rail is a smarter economic choice for freight haulage for Australia. One freight train from Melbourne to Sydney replaces 150 semi-trailers, saving 45,000 litres of fuel on every journey.
    Rail can assist in relieving road congestion in metropolitan areas.
    Rail is up to 9 times safer than road freight.

[Fares_Fair]

*sigh*

[ozbob]

Twitter

Robyn Ironside ‏@ironsider 1h

@Robert_Dow no website updates either. And just a day after six Qld Rail execs were given their marching orders. Suspect more will follow.

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Queensland Rail cuts six executives in move towards 'more efficient service'

Queensland Rail cuts six executives in move towards 'more efficient service'

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    August 28, 2012 6:28AM

THE Newman Government 's overhaul of Queensland Rail has begun with six senior executives getting the chop.

They are either being replaced or made redundant as part of what is expected to be a massive shake up of the government-owned passenger transport service.

Acting chief executive Jim Benstead said the changes were part of the move to a "more efficient railway service".

"One of the key areas for focus involves reviewing and refreshing our current management structure," said Mr Benstead.

Among those leaving the business are Chief Rail Operations Officer Mark Williams, Chief Network Officer John Pistak and the general managers for network, train service delivery and customer service.

Additionally, Mr Benstead said the position of Rail Ops Train Control Service manager had "regrettably been made redundant" and indicated more changes were on the way.

"As you may be aware a full structural review is currently underway. I will communicate in a separate announcement once all details are finalized with our Shareholding Ministers," he said.

As a Government-owned corporation, Queensland Rail is overseen by the Treasurer Tim Nicholls and Transport Minister Scott Emerson.

Mr Benstead finished his message with "I understand that times of change can be difficult, but we must focus on safety and delivering great customer service".

The Newman Government is seeking substantial cutbacks at Queensland Rail and has previously rejected management submissions for 600 job losses as "too few".

Mr Emerson has repeatedly criticized the organizations "bloated bureaucracy" and warned against any payment of performance bonuses to staff.

[ozbob]

Executive Leadership Team  --> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/Pages/ExecutiveLeadershipTeam.aspx

[Fares_Fair]

Executive Leadership Team  --> http://www.queenslandrail.com.au/AboutUs/Pages/ExecutiveLeadershipTeam.aspx

Has this been updated recently?
Can't find a date on it.

Kevin wright was Chief Operations Officer back when we won our new 5:24pm Roma St to Nambour train back in June/July 2011.
He since moved into a Major Projects role.

Is he now back to his original role as COO?

I have a lot of respect for Kevin, he's a railway man's railway man with plenty of experience.
Also for all the others I have met in QR.

[ozbob]

Even though it is undated, would appear to be the latest ... some former staff are missing ...

Yes Mr. K. Wright has changed role again.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
11/09/2012

Qld Rail begins consultation on reform

Consultation has begun today on a proposal to reduce Queensland Rail's corporate and support areas by around 500 personnel.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the proposal was designed to put the focus on delivering better rail services for passengers by reducing the massive corporate overheads which had grown under Labor.

"Under Labor and Annastacia Palaszczuk, staffing in the corporate, communication, marketing and finance areas of Queensland Rail grew between 60 and 120 per cent," Mr Emerson said.

"Labor's answer for their financial mismanagement and projected $100 billion debt was to increase the cost of living for families by hiking up fares by 15 per cent every year.

"The Newman Government has made it clear to Queensland Rail that we want to improve the reliability, frequency and affordability of public transport and this proposal is vital to those efforts."

The proposal includes slashing the organisation's executive and general manager positions from 77 to 32, with a reduction of around 500 personnel to be achieved through voluntary redundancy payments and winding back contractors.

Queensland Rail will start consultation with the employees and unions on the proposal immediately.

"I want to work with unions to hear their ideas of where we can identify savings in Queensland Rail to make it more reliable, frequent, and affordable," Mr Emerson said.

"Public transport patronage across South-East Queensland decreased to 178.3 million under Labor - its lowest level in four years.

"Time's up for massive delays on our rail network, time's up for fares rising by 15 per cent each year, and time's up for Labor's lame excuses.

"It's time for action to improve public transport and only the Newman Government has a plan that will deliver for Queenslanders."

Mr Emerson said the budget delivers the LNP's key election commitments to be a passenger-focussed government improving frequency, reliability, and affordability.

"There is $9 million for additional train services. We will tackle declining affordability with $9 million for free travel after nine journeys and $8.6 million to halve Labor's fare hikes in 2013 and 2014.

"$36 million has been allocated for pensioner and senior concessions on long-distance train travel.

"And Queensland Rail will also deliver all 26 recommendations of an independent reliability audit which identified a 'piecemeal' approach to maintenance.

"The Government is making the tough decisions to deliver better services and lower the cost of living for Queensland families," Mr Emerson said.

[ENDS] 11 September 2012

[WTN]

What's not mentioned are the budget "savings" to accompany staff reductions and cutbacks. Over the next 4 years, there's:

$47 million "saved" from Traveltrain services (despite $36 million to prop up concessions)
$151.5 million "saved" from Citytrain services
$174.6 million "saved" from rail infrastructure

And over 2 years:
$348.3 million "saved" from equity contributions to Qld Rail.

Can we please put more of these "savings" back into more service improvements?

[WTN]

Unfortunately the above doesn't seem to apply to roads. Despite "savings" made in DTMR and Translink, there's still quite a lot of expenditure on roads.

[somebody]

Fitch has downgraded Qld from AA+ to AA on the back of the budget.  Says it all.

[Fares_Fair]

Mr Emerson said "the budget delivers the LNP's key election commitments to be a passenger-focussed government improving frequency, reliability, and affordability."

Rail duplication to Landsborough (last ALP Govt completion date was 2020, with previous completion date by mid-2012)
and then to Nambour (last ALP Govt completion date was 2031, but with qualifications).

Sunshine Coast MP, the Hon. Andrew Powell, needs to take note given his strong support of commuters, including e-petitions and paper petitions to bring these dates forward, prior to the LNP's March 2012 election victory.

[Jonno]

Unfortunately the above doesn't seem to apply to roads. Despite "savings" made in DTMR and Translink, there's still quite a lot of expenditure on roads.

Come on! We all know roads are a sign of new world city progress and drive economic growth!!!

[WTN]

Cannot comment on all the road spending and agree there would be some that could be argued, but the Bruce Hwy is probably more than justified and required now!

Come on! We all know roads are a sign of new world city progress and drive economic growth!!!

Oh really? Then the cuts to Queensland Rail are way too tiny. Rail funding should be cut to zero. Staffing should be reduced to a handful. After all, trains are an outdated 19th century form of transport that nobody uses. Taxpayer money should be spent on the best, safest, most efficient and popular form of transport only - roads for cars and trucks! Railways are a total waste! Sell all the assets to Perth! Close down everything and convert them into giant freeways everyone will love and use! It will also eliminate costly level crossing accidents.

[Arnz]

While we're at it, lets replace the trains previously used on the rails with Maglev Buses for those that need the transport and have no either alternative. 

[HappyTrainGuy]

I've got a printer connected to my computer. I can print off some new Cabulcha signs

[WTN]

My comments were sarcasm directed at the disproportionate funding of roads over rail, in a general sense, including but not specifically the Bruce Hwy. I wouldn't be so annoyed if the road/rail funding balance was actually fair.

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
21/09/2012

Queensland Rail consumables expenses slashed

Queensland Rail's consumable spending will be slashed as the Newman Government continues to crack down on the corporate waste that developed under Labor.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the Queensland Rail budget to make purchases ranging from clothing to excessive catering would no longer be tolerated.

"Then Transport Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and her former Labor colleagues allowed wasteful use of the organisation's 1,400 corporate credit cards," Mr Emerson said.

"Consumable expenses will be slashed by $42.6 million as part of the Queensland Rail reforms to ensure they are only used where appropriate.

"In my opinion many of the expenses and purchases under Labor were wasteful and would shock many train users."

Shortly after coming to Government, all Government Owned Corporations were told to reduce spending and waste.

The Queensland Government wrote to all GOCs in April stating: 'I would expect that your board would review appointments, expenditure on consultancies and contractors, as well as advertising and travel expenses. These should align with the broader public sector measures proposed by government. Any corporate boxes should be relinquished.'

"In the final two years under Labor, staffing in the corporate, communication, marketing and finance areas of Queensland Rail grew between 60 and 120 per cent," Mr Emerson said.

"However I'm confident that the new structure presented to the government, under chairman Glen Dawe will refocus Queensland Rail on delivering improvement to front line services."

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Huge bills run up for travel and luxuries

[Jonno]

QLD Rail will be lucky to keep the lights on at stations let alone operate a safe railway.

[Stillwater]

One public servant said this week that her department has instituted byo tea, coffee and milk in the staff kitchen.  I observed her take spoiled photo-copy paper, flip it over to the blank side and clamp it with a bulldog clip to form a notebook.

[nathandavid88]

One public servant said this week that her department has instituted byo tea, coffee and milk in the staff kitchen.  I observed her take spoiled photo-copy paper, flip it over to the blank side and clamp it with a bulldog clip to form a notebook.

While I think BYO coffee and tea is a bit over the top, I have no problem with making notebooks from spoiled copypaper. I've worked in an office that did this regularly and not only is it a good way of saving a bit of money on the stationary budget, it's good from an environmental standpoint because the office is reducing its paper use.

That Courier Mail article does make me a little bit mad though. $300 bags from David Jones? Scarfs and gloves from Myer? $750 tailor made lenses and a GoPro helmet cam? Are these really things that anyone should be able to charge to a corporate credit card? And catching cabs from Central to South Bank? They run a railway and yet won't take it themselves?

[PollyWouldLikeASeat]

Well I've obviously been working in the wrong departments for the last 20 years, everywhere I've ever been as been byo tea and coffee. 

And I thought everyone recycled their printing and photo-copying that way.

[WTN]

Well I've obviously been working in the wrong departments for the last 20 years, everywhere I've ever been as been byo tea and coffee. 

And I thought everyone recycled their printing and photo-copying that way.

BYO tea and coffee for all departments I've worked, although I did see tea, coffee and biscuits once at the Premier's Library a few years ago.

Printers in my workplace now default to double sided so reuse is not always possible. And if confidential info is printed, it shouldn't be left lying around (at least in theory).

But all that is quite basic compared to the items mentioned in the Courier Mail, which are more like costly luxuries. No wonder trains cost so much to run! What else was money being wasted on?

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail 20th February 2013 page 14

More jobs on the line at Queensland Rail

[#Metro]

By and large increases to qr's budget have not translated into new passenger services, but have been instead spent on concrete, station upgrades and maintenance.

it would be interesting to compare transperth trains with qr

[ozbob]

From the Couriermail click here!

Staff in line for cuts as Queensland Rail seeks efficiencies

Staff in line for cuts as Queensland Rail seeks efficiencies

    by: Robyn Ironside
    From: The Courier-Mail
    February 22, 2013 12:00AM

A BITTER industrial stoush is brewing at Queensland Rail as the State Government seeks further efficiencies in the workforce to help rein in rising costs and ticket prices.

Transport Minister Scott Emerson yesterday confirmed Queensland Rail management was looking at removing conditions currently enjoyed by employees, including "no forced redundancy and no forced relocation".

He said the clauses had led to situations where workers with little or nothing to do continued to draw a full-time wage while other QR areas were short-staffed.

"I think people would be surprised to learn that under the current arrangements there were situations like 50 per cent additional train crew left in Cairns for up to two years following the sell-off of QR National," Mr Emerson said.

"While we had excess staff in some areas of the state, at the same time we were looking to employ additional train crew left in southeast Queensland to meet a growing number of services."

Mr Emerson said the Government was seeking a "more efficient public transport network" to help tackle the affordability crisis. In the past four years fares have increased by more than 50 per cent, resulting in a flatlining of patronage.

"Negotiation of its enterprise agreements is a matter for Queensland Rail, however . . . they will be seeking efficiencies," he said.

Job security and permanency was removed from other public service agreements last year in a move that resulted in more than 10,000 people marching on State Parliament.

Owen Doogan, of the Rail Tram and Bus Union, said as yet they had been given no indication by Queensland Rail the same conditions would be cut for their members.

"It is a government-owned enterprise and we would expect the Government not to be interfering in the business," Mr Doogan said.

He will negotiate a new enterprise agreement for the RTBU's 700 train crew members from July.

Kath Nelson, of the Australian Services Union which also represents Queensland Rail employees, said she anticipated members would not agree to the removal of key conditions.

[ozbob]

From the Sunday Mail 24th February 2013 page 23

QR on track for job cuts

[#Metro]

"I think people would be surprised to learn that under the current arrangements there were situations like 50 per cent additional train crew left in Cairns for up to two years following the sell-off of QR National," Mr Emerson said.

"While we had excess staff in some areas of the state, at the same time we were looking to employ additional train crew left in southeast Queensland to meet a growing number of services."

Even teachers and doctors can be asked to move around! That's life! It's wrong for people to be paid money and not do productive work and be unfireable.

[ozbob]

Full list of job cuts Queensland Rail, Questions on Notice number 92 click --> here!

============

From the Queensland Times click here!

QR bosses lay off 21 Ipswich staff

QR bosses lay off 21 Ipswich staff

TWENTY-ONE Ipswich rail workers are among the hundreds to have lost their jobs in the wake of State Government cuts to Queensland Rail.

The LNP State Government announced in September last year they would be reducing Queensland Rail's corporate and support areas by around 500 personnel.

But now The QT has obtained a list of the positions of all 21 workers in Ipswich to lose their jobs.

Bundamba MP Jo-Ann Miller said the government was "hell bent on the privatisation of the passenger rail service ... and that hasn't worked in interstate jurisdictions or overseas".

"The implications of this are a loss of services and a loss of jobs right across the network," she said.

"Queensland Rail has had a strong historical focus here in Ipswich, but we have these cut going on under the noses of Ian Berry and Sean Choat, two Ipswich MPs who will not stand up for their community.

"We learned a bitter lesson at the last State Election that people do not want privatisation at all and Ipswich people will not cop it."

Opposition leader Annastacia Palaszczuk said costs to rail users would skyrocket under the LNP because "for every one dollar you pay as a customer the government subsidises that for around three dollars".

"So if the passenger rail network is privatised you will pay around three times what you are paying today," she said.

A spokesperson for Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said that under the previous government "train passenger services were the most costly in the country and staffing in the corporate, communication, marketing and finance areas of Queensland Rail grew between 60 and 120 per cent".

"We are focused on delivering better frontline services including 150 additional weekly services not slugging passengers with 15% fare increases like the former government," the spokesperson said.

Mr Berry said: "Jo-Ann Miller will try anything to distract from the fact that she voted in the Parliament to sell-off Queensland Rail National and then remained silent as her Labor mates sacked hundreds of railway workers."