Monday 1 May 2017

Hunter Rail workers getting louder

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

With demand for new railcars expected to grow by about 11, 000 in the next 30 years, Hunter workers are calling for them to be built here in Australia, and not overseas.

Hunter train builders will hold a rally in Newcastle this morning calling for government intervention to ensure tax dollars are spent on trains being built here.

A Senate inquiry is being held at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Newcastle looking into the issue.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU) will hold a rally and press conference outside of the Crowne Plaza ahead of the Senate inquiry.

The AMWU says around $4 billion worth of local train building contracts have gone offshore, and they're calling on the Federal government to ensure an Australian train is never again built overseas.