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| Issue No 77 |  |
10 November 2000 |
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NewsShowdown: Howard Faces Court Over Rail Sell-Off
The NSW Labor Council will investigate a legal challenge to the Federal Government's decision to exclude State-owned rail freight operators bidding for National Rail Corporation.
A bid for National Rail by NSW rail freight operator FreightCorp has been ruled out by the Federal Government. But Labor Council secretary Michael Costa says he's committed to securing the best possible future for FreightCorp's 2,200 workers in light of the pending sale of National Rail. "What I don't want to see is FreightCorp decimated by unfair competition from a privately owned National Rail, " Costa says. The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has conducted research on the best possible options for job protection for FreightCorp workers One of their preferred options is for FreightCorp to buy National Rail. But in the event that can't take place, the other option would be to pursue the parallel sale of FreightCorp and National Rail - creating a large and competitive rail freight business that can take the fight up to road transport. "I don't want to move to 'Plan B' before we have investigated the chances of turning the Federal Government decision around in the courts if necessary," Costa says. A study done by PriceWaterhouseCoopers for the RTBU found the biggest threat to FreightCorp jobs would be to just "stand and fight" against a privatised National Rail. "This option would cost 600 jobs within a year as the new operator cherry picks FreightCorp's most valuable contracts," Mr Costa said. "The NSW Labor Council will not cop an option that decimates rail jobs across country New South Wales."
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   US Election: Democracy Version 1.0: Time for an Upgrade AmericaThis week the world's greatest democracy is looking pretty rickety. Michael Gadiel reports from the front line. Interview: Crikey! A Corporate CommandoHe may be a lapsed Lib, but Stephen Mayne is making life hell in the boardrooms of corporate Australia. And he might have some clues for unions too. Unions: Class of 2000 Hit RedfernThey're just out of acting school and straight into the union. Tomorrow's stars and today's union members. International: US Cleaners Fast for JusticeTalks between striking janitors and the cleaning contractors who employ them resumed on Tuesday at the Sheraton Hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. History: Racing RadioThe Cup is over, but the races go on, and so does Labor council's radio station, 2KY, as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary. Legal: A Pandora's In-BoxScreening of employee's emails could be in breach of telecommunications laws, according to Minter Ellison lawyer Megan Dixon. Satire: Our Snobs Are TopsTony Moore on why the lucky country has always been a tosser�s paradise. Review: Brassed Off With a Tutu Billy Elliott, currently a hit at the box office, gives a new twist to the working class rags to riches story.
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