Interruptions to Newcastle rail line yet again

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Despite severe disruptions to the Newcastle rail line due to industrial action over previous weeks, the Australian Rail Track Corporation are going ahead with planned track work this week.

The maintenance work will see new tracks laid, improvements to level crossings and signalling work completed.

Executive General Manager Jonathon Vandervoort says the work has been pre planned months in advance and cannot be avoided.

"We will be working very closely with our customers to see what opportunities there are following the maintenance shutdown to recover from the industrial action period as best as possible."

The work is due to be finished late evening this Thursday.

ARTC leaves privatisation door wide open

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The privatisation door has been left wide open with Hunter Australian Rail Track Corporation workers signing a dud Enterprise Agreement deal.

Employees were put in a difficult and unfair position as they voted for changes to the ARTC which will reduce future financial liabilities and make the company an attractive purchase for the private sector.

If the government privatises the ARTC, a number of conditions workers currently enjoy will be scrapped.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union Secretary Alex Classens says the union are calling on the ARTC to publicly confirm workers conditions and entitlements will be protected.

"Our union does its best to protect members conditions and unfortunately in this circumstance we haven't been able to achieve that."

Mr Classens slammed the voting process pointing to concerns about transparency and fairness.

It is unknown who was allowed to vote in the ballot; all the union know is the outcome which they are very disappointed in.

The combined rail unions will be meeting to seek legal advice on what options are available to them so they can continue to fight to protect employee entitlements.