newcastle WED 25 MAR 2015
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We need answers on jobs Workers call for solution to privatisation plan’s impact on local employment AMELIA PARROTT
@amelia_parrott
A Election candidates have their say p.4-8
SPORT Knights grab victory late against Titans p.25
s unemployment levels in the Hunter hit 12.4 per cent last week, workers gathered in Newcastle on Saturday to demand action from the State Government. A week out from the state election, workers from the health, disability, education, manufacturing and electricity sectors gathered to air their concerns about the potential of job losses under the Baird Government’s asset privatisation model. Shaun Goss, a local train builder, said if contracts for the state government’s new $2.8 billion intercity rail fleet go overseas, it could have a significant impact on jobs locally, as well as at a state level. “Manufacturing in rail and ship building have been the heartbeat of the Hunter for decades and we are now being targeted by politicians who think the cheapest is the best at any cost and unfortunately that cost is our jobs,” he said. “Mike Baird keeps saying this government has created 100,000 jobs. “I’d like to know where because it certainly isn’t here.” Rachael Smoothy, a disability services support worker said her industry, where 14,000 jobs are reportedly at risk, was seen as a “soft target” for privatisation because the people utilising services cannot vote, and the sector primarily employs women. “It’s a gender issue,” she said.
Workers from a number of sectors gathered to raise awareness of potential job losses under Premier Mike Baird’s asset privatisation plan “Our jobs are undervalued because it’s seen as caring and part of the female psyche and not at all professional. “If this valuable service was staffed by men the attention and action around this attempted privatisation would be very different.” Visiting the region last week, Premier Mike Baird defended his track record in jobs creation. “There’s over 100,000 additional jobs that have
come to NSW and obviously here in the Hunter we need to focus on it,” he said. “The more that we grow the economy the more opportunities we have and I can assure you were are focused on keeping NSW at the top of the pack economically.” But Shadow Treasurer Michael Daley said unemployment levels in the Hunter had risen sharply in the time that Mr Baird has been in power. Story continues on » p. 3
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