Upset Tranz Rail workers to get more counselling

By MONIQUE DEVEREUX

Tranz Rail intends to provide extra counselling for staff and take management precautions to maintain safety after decisions affecting 3400 workers this week.

The company announced it would sell its long-distance passenger services and contract out engineering, maintenance and ship operations by the end of 2002.

The restructuring will cut staff numbers from 4000 to 600. Staff face a wait of up to two years before finding out if they will be laid off, or who their new employer will be.

Rail and Maritime Transport Union general secretary Wayne Butson said: "The workers are in shock, but that is now turning to anger.

"The next 18 months to two years will be incredibly stressful and destabilising for the families involved. I only hope we don't see a dramatic increase in accident rates as well."

Tranz Rail spokesman Fred Cockram said the company recognised workers would be under enormous stress and could be distracted, which in turn could lead to accidents.

Additional counselling would be available and safety programmes established.

Tranz Rail's restructuring announcement comes on the heels of a Herald initiative to promote a new sense of economic well-being in New Zealand - The Jobs Challenge.

Herald Online feature: The jobs challenge

We invite your responses to a series of questions such as: what key policies would make it easier for unemployed people to move into and generate jobs?