Drivers at SSR made redundant

20 drivers form the Southern Railway Service Sydney and Newcastle depots were made redundant this week, with the company citing a significant downturn in operations for the mass lay off.

The drivers – all level 2.5 and 3 drivers are the depots – were told of the move at a meeting on Tuesday.

A number of specific outside influences were blamed for the downturn, including RailCorp recently enlisting the services of another provider, coal export work dropping off and the irregular nature of ARTC infrastructure work.

Unlike El Zorro, SSR guaranteed full entitlements to the employees and have advised redundant staff that they will receive first priority offers of any casual work that arises and will be first on the list for full time employment if and when the company is in a stronger position.

As with all instances where members are facing redundancy, the division will be doing everything possible to help them find new employment quickly.