Millennium Train Workers on Strike

Date: 02 July 2003

80 workers at the EDI Rail factory in Bathurst, who manufacture key components of the Millennium Trains, downed tools on Friday in an indefinite stoppage to force EDI into guaranteeing the workers security of employment and security of their accrued entitlements.

EDI Rail, a division Downer EDI, manufactures the Millennium Train's undercarriages at their Bathurst Plant. The workers are striking over a refusal by the company to guarantee no forced redundancies and to guarantee their accrued entitlements would be secured in the event of a closure of the Bathurst plant.

The Australian Workers' Union State Secretary, Russ Collison said the issue of redundancy had only become the major issue in the Enterprise Agreement negotiations following the major faults with the Millennium Trains becoming public.

"When the Millennium Trains faced increased scrutiny because of the blow-out in costs and design faults naturally these workers became worried about their futures". Mr. Collison said.

"If the Stage 3 Millennium Train contract is dropped by the State Government we estimate that at least 45 of these workers will be made redundant overnight. Therefore it is crucial to the workers that they receive some guarantees from EDI regarding their futures."

Mr. Collison said there would be no guarantee that the roll out of new Millennium Trains would not be affected by the strike.

"Its regrettable that the new trains may be delayed by the action at Bathurst, but it has been EDI Management's refusal to negotiate in good faith that has led to this impasse," he said.

The 80 workers have set-up a peaceful protest outside the EDI Plant on the Great Western Highway at Kelso and will remain there until they return to work.

For further information

Contact:	Paul Howes
Union:	The Australian Workers' Union Greater NSW Branch
Phone:	02 9897 3644
Contact Mobile:	0425 238 901
Fax:	02 9897 1481
Email:	phowes@awu-nsw.asn.au
WWW:	http://www.awu-nsw.asn.au

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