Alternative Media Group

Redfern riled over rail cuts

Author:

Angus Thompson

Posted:

Thursday, 13 August 2009

Commuters could be put at risk and vandalism dramatically increase following measures to axe 40 per cent of staff from Redfern Station.

As part of a State-wide review of station staff, Railcorp has cut numbers at Redfern from 73 to 47 workers.

Central Station is also going under the knife, and is expected to lose up to 100 frontline staff.

The NSW Government says the measures will save them approximately $20 million.

John Maher, President of the Transport Division of the Australian Services Union (ASU), said the cuts were purely a cost-cutting exercise.

“I believe that with fewer people on stations will lead to an increase in vandalism and fare evasion, and that has to be discounted off the $20 million.”

“We’re happy that the 73 people currently here can adequately resource the station but we certainly believe that 43 positions won’t adequately resource the station.”

More than 50,000 people use the Station every day, making it one of the most commuted stations on the network.

A coalition of community groups, including the Friends of Redfern Station, REDwatch and the South Sydney Uniting Church vowed to oppose the measures, saying  commuters would be put at great risk.

Commuter and Redfern resident Sally Quilter described the station as eerily quiet after 9pm. “There should be an increase in staff, not a decrease,” she said.

City of Sydney Greens Councillor Irene Doutney, also a Redfern resident,  supports the locals. “I think it’s appalling that the Government is going to make cuts to Redfern Station, which is one of Sydney’s busiest stations, servicing Sydney University, an international college and large housing estates,” she said.

“Cutting staff will just make the station more threatening, while lack of access keeps it inequitable.”

Rail Tram and Bus Union (RBTU) spokesperson Phillip Kessey called Redfern Station one of the most dangerous in the network.

The review was conducted at the end of last month between Railcorp management, RBTU and ASU representatives, initially postponed because of disputes over lack of transparency.

Audits staged for Circular Quay and Martin Place train stations have been put on hiatus due to similar quarrelling.

A Railcorp spokesperson assured that no jobs would actually be lost, simply reallocated.
“There will be no loss of employment as a result of the station staff reviews though some positions may change,” said the spokesperson.

“The station staff review is part of the continuing consultation with our staff and unions to implement a more flexible station staffing model that is better equipped to deal with and respond to customer and operational needs.

“RailCorp is very conscious of the special needs of some customers including those with a disability. The review at Redfern will include any local issues that affect staffing levels at the station and the customers that use it.”

Disabled access to the station is limited with only escalators servicing two platforms. RBTU officials argue staff reductions would severely limit assistance to people trying to access the station.

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