NSW: Union outraged job cuts announced in the media

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NSW: Union outraged job cuts announced in the media

SYDNEY, Aug 29 AAP - It was outrageous that more than 300 employees of the Rail InfrastructureCorporation (RIC) have found out their jobs are on the line by reading it in the newspaper,a union said today.

The NSW infrastructure body issued a press release today stating that up to 350 positionswould be affected, mainly in the Sydney area with the rest in the Newcastle and WaggaWagga regions.

The cuts would mainly affect administrative and support positions, with no forced redundancies,RIC said.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Nick Lewocki said the union had not discussedthe changes with RIC .

"We've had no discussions - it appears it's been leaked to the media in some sort ofrushed way," Mr Lewocki said.

"We're outraged that we have to find these things out by reading it in the press butwe'll make sure that management is informed of that and their responsibility in regardsto their employees.

"They (employees) don't want to read they've lost their jobs in newspapers."

Mr Lewocki said the union would be meeting with RIC on Monday to find out the reasoningand what areas would be cut.

"I think this one's being rushed and we're not sure what the justification is for 300jobs to just disappear."

He said no decision on further action would be taken until after the meeting.

RIC said the cuts would be introduced along with an increase in spending on maintenanceof the NSW rail network, with additional track workers employed where needed.

AAP rcg/mk/ph

KEYWORD: RAIL UNION