EDi urged to keep jobs in Bowen St

KEEP IT LOCAL: Union delegate Brad Hansen has called on Downer EDi management to confirm that Queensland workers, and not those in China, will benefit if the joint venture wins a multi-million-dollar Queensland Rail contract.

File photo

FEARS that 200 new trains for Queensland Rail could be built in China by Downer EDi Rail if they capture the multi-million-dollar QR contract were yesterday dismissed as speculation.

Union delegate Brad Hansen called on management of the train-building empire to confirm that trains would continue to be built at Bowen Street, Maryborough, if its forthcoming tender is successful.

“Downer EDi has a factory in China where it builds trains for the NSW market and ships to its site at Cardiff,” Mr Hansen, AMWU state organiser, said.

“The contract is similar in size to the one here. That’s a worrying sort of sign.

“I would like to see EDi make a commitment that it will be manufacture on the Maryborough site, not assemble the trains. I think naming a location where they plan to build if successful would not be inappropriate.”

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A Sydney-based spokesperson for EDi rejected Mr Hansen’s comments.

“I can assure you that is pure speculation. We don’t comment on speculation,” she said.

Meanwhile a Bombardier spokesman revealed a retrenchment program would begin in August, not just because the tender process of the 200-train QR project had been delayed but because of other projects yet to be secured.

Premier Anna Bligh said last week that QR would satisfy Local Industry Policy requirements to “enhance creation of sustainable industry and job opportunities in Qld under this project”.

Downer EDi Rail and Bombardier Transportation are among three short-listed contenders as a result of the expressions of interest phase of the process.

United Group and Rotem (Sydney and South Korea) and Mitsubishi and CAF (Japan and Spain) are the other two combined bidders. Tenders are expected to be invited by June.

“The government’s goals with this tender are clear – to create jobs for Queenslanders,” Ms Bligh said.