QR to slash over 500 jobs

QR National has announced that it will slash at least 500 jobs across the company nationally – a move which will devastate workers and local communities.

The job cuts follow the 600 voluntary redundancies it announced last year.

In a pack sent to workers the day the announcement was made, the company says that a high cost base is to blame, but with profit figures running around $560 million and business set to boom, QR is hardly struggling to make ends meet.

Locomotive Division Secretary Bob Hayden said says it’s disappointing “In an industry like ours that is continuing to grow, coming in and chopping hundreds of jobs just doesn’t make sense,” “It’s a real blow to workers, it’s a real blow to the local communities built around QR and it’s a real blow to the industry generally.

Under the current agreement, all QR National redundancies must be voluntary so the company can’t force anyone to leave or accept a transfer.

Bob Hayden said the union is in discussion with both QR National Business Groups – Intermodal and Coal – in an effort to find out what the decision actually means for NSW members, but at the time of writing it would seem minimal if any impact on Intermodal members and a possible 20 members affected in the NSW Coal Operation.

“This is going to have a devastating impact on those workers affected,” Bob Hayden said. “There are a lot of discussions to be had with QR to make sure all members are fully aware of their rights, options and are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The voluntary redundancies should they occur in NSW will take place from August. We will keep you updated on news as it arises.

Listen to Bob Nanva speaking on the issue on the ABC’s AM program here