
Issue No 24		30 July 1999

News

Rail Security Guards Miss Danger Spots

New statistics showing commuters are far more likely to be attacked on stations than on trains raise doubts over the Carr Government's decision to slash station staff and replace them with private security guards.

The guards, who only have jurisdiction to patrol the trains, are being introduced at a cost of $36 million while the Government slashes 432 station staff positions.

This is despite the release this week of a report by the Independent Pricing Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) showing huge differences in assault and robbery rates in 1998.

On trains there were 148 assaults, 154 robberies and one sexual assault, compared to station crime of 1017 assaults, 418 robberies and nine sexual assaults.

And with fare evasion estimated to cost the government more than $100 million, they also lack power to check passengers are carrying tickets.

Rail Bus and Tram Union state secretary Nick Lewocki says the decision to transfer security from stations are trains is a waste of public money.

"A state Labor Government should provide a properly staffed rail system that maximises the number of employees on railway stations to provide both security and revenue protection," Lewocki says.

The union is fuming that Transport Minister Carl Scully last week decided to announce an extension of private security guards, midway through a consultation period with the unions about better utilising station staff.

"You have to ask the question where this government is coming from," Lewocki says.

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Issue 24 contents

Interview: The Man in the Hot Seat
WorkCover general manger John Grayson cut his teeth in the trade union movement. Now heï¿½s trying to save the stateï¿½s workers compensation scheme.

Unions: Turning Up The Heat: Bush Fire Officers Seek Award Justice
"We want an award for the job that we do, not the job other people want us to do". Donald Bushby, and his fellow Fire Control Officers, know what they want. It's simple: an award for FCO's and deputy FCO's, an award that recognises who they are, the job they do, the pressures they have to live with.

International: The Virtual Labour Congress
International trade unions are launching an online debate on Labour in the 21th century.

Legal: The Source of the Issue
Recent legal developments place the spotlight on the outsourcing of government activities.

Review: The Split that Changed a Nation
A new book looks at the Cold War ALP split that redefined politics in this country.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour Review, Labor Council's resource for unionists.

Satire: Man Takes Home Pay - More Pokies Needed
The NSW government has expressed concern following the release of a second report by the Productivity Commission which shows that a majority of employed people still spend their pay on luxury items such as food and clothing for their family.

» Sixty Cents A Week to Protect Entitlements

» Workers Comp ï¿½ The Rorts Have to Stop

» Steggles Roasted Over Family-Busting Policies

» Youth Worker Death Prompts Safety Fears

» Rail Security Guards Miss Danger Spots

» New South Coast Labor Body Seeks Recognition

» Howard Ministers, Employment Advocate in the Dock

» Management Vandals Take to Sydney Water

» Boston Fiddles While Teachers Burn

» Lundy to Star in Workers Online Net Night

» STOP PRESS - Firefighters Seek End To Safety Apartheid