Wanganui's 10 railway track workers are among 243 in the lower North Island who have been invited to consider taking voluntary redundancy.
KiwiRail wants to shed 59 lower North Island track jobs in a cost-cutting exercise, Rail & Maritime Transport Union (RMTU) general secretary Wayne Butson says. It is looking to shed 181 track jobs nationwide.
Mr Butson didn't know how many workers would choose voluntary redundancy.
They were 92 per cent unionised nationwide, he said. There were strong provisions for redeployment, relocation and alternative employment in their contracts.
The RMTU has asked KiwiRail to hold some vacancies for staff who want to be relocated. They were also likely to get jobs in Australia if they wanted.