Build Our Trains At Home, Say Rail Workers

The Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) is using an open day at Hutt Rail workshops today to urge KiwiRail to back the New Zealand workforce and ‘buy kiwi made’ in its upcoming locomotive and wagon procurement.

“New Zealand workshops have the skills and the equipment needed to undertake a large number of railway and other heavy engineering jobs, and are being underutilised,” Wayne Butson, RMTU General Secretary said.

“KiwiRail is in the market for new locomotives and wagons, and rail workers in New Zealand want the company to commit to building new locomotives and wagons here, rather than only upgrading older stock from overseas.”

“An Open Day is being held at Hutt Workshops in Woburn this Sunday, to highlight the work they currently do and what they are capable of doing. As well as rebuilding and repair work, New Zealand rail workshops have the skills and expertise to build locomotives from scratch.”

“We want KiwiRail and the government to back Kiwi workers, and get our trains built at home,” Wayne Butson said.

The Hutt Workshops Open Day is this Sunday 28 February 2010, from 11am until 4pm, entrance via the Bell Road gate.

ENDS

Christchurch: Shifting From Response To Recovery

Civil Defence Director, John Hamilton says public services are being restored in Canterbury, with people in the region receiving support from welfare staff and building inspectors despite disruption caused by strong and frequent aftershocks.

Mr Hamilton said the focus is shifting from the response phase to recovery.

“Priorities over the next few days are to provide assistance to people and target and fix infrastructure, meet immediate and longer term housing needs, establish recovery structures and ensure timely, regular communication with affected communities,” he said. More>>