No confidence in NZ rail industry and workforce

No confidence in NZ rail industry and workforce

Rail workers say the decision by KiwiRail to send production of 300 new container flat top wagons to China is a further vote of no-confidence in the New Zealand rail industry and its workforce.

The move, announced a short time ago, follows a decision in May to reject a New Zealand build of Auckland’s new electric multiple units, a project that economics consultancy BERL estimated would have added between 770 to 1270 additional jobs and $232 to $250 million to GDP.

“Rail workers were keen for the work to be done at the Woburn and Hillside workshops, where many similar wagons have been built previously,” Rail and Maritime Transport Union General Secretary Wayne Butson said.

“Either New Zealand has a well trained rail workforce or it doesn’t. Moves like these risk sending more skilled trades people overseas.”

“Rail workers who negotiate in good faith for their terms and conditions at KiwiRail are now effectively being told that their wages are the main barrier to New Zealand getting its own rail manufacturing work.”

“Of course New Zealand workers will never be able to compete on cost with China but our quality of work is second to none”

“We have always said it is nonsensical for KiwiRail to tender a job from one part of its business, that it comfortably has the capacity to carry out within another business unit.”

“What needs to change is KiwiRail’s tendering rules, and this change needs to come from Parliament, to make it clear for crown entities like KiwiRail that buying local must always be the first option where possible.”

“If Members of Parliament have any interest in keeping rail trades people in jobs, they will back measures to address this. Support for Clare Curran’s Kiwi Jobs Bill would be a good start,” Wayne Butson said.

ENDS

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