The AMWU is fighting for the jobs of workers at Downer EDI in Maryborough after Queensland Rail (QR) refused to prioritise the local company for a train-manufacturing contract.

Downer EDI may be forced to lay off up to 1000 positions if the contract for 200 new QR trains goes either interstate or offshore.

The AMWU held a crisis meeting in Maryborough in May, calling for the State Government to ensure that the contract stayed local.

“We believe that the Queensland Government’s tender process is too open as it has no local content provisions which basically opens it up to international competitors,” Downer EDI delegate Brad Hansen said.

“If a contract like this goes off-shore, it can have huge implications for both the company and the broader community.”

 At the May meeting, officials from the AMWU and CFMEU and workers from EDI joined together to deliver a firm message to the State Government.

Resolutions were passed and a delegation of local employees was endorsed to meet with Minister for Transport Rachel Nolan.
A meeting took place in Brisbane in early June, but appears to have been unsuccessful in changing the Minister’s mind about the tender process.
“We’re now hoping Anna Bligh and Rachel Nolan will come up on site here,” said Mr Hansen.
“We want them to see the businesses that rely on EDI and meet the people who stand to lose their jobs if this contract doesn’t stay local.”

EDI indirectly accounts for approximately 30 percent of the Maryborough’s economy and any jobs losses or the potential closure of the facility would have huge implications across the region.

Traditionally, QR trains go out to tender in batches of 30. This time, QR has called for tenders for the manufacture of 200 at once.

“That number makes the contract much more appealing for international companies to compete for,” Mr Hansen explained.

“It may be a bigger contract than we’re used to but local management believes we have the capacity to do it.
“We can meet all the requirements that QR is putting on us and our price is competitive.
“If we don’t get this tender then the factory closing is not out of the realms of possibility.
“At the very least, we would significantly downsize. There would be a lot of job losses which would flow on through the community.”

Downer EDI, which currently employs about 600 direct employees, has been supportive of the Union’s involvement but cannot jeopardise its contract by lobbying QR directly.
The company is currently shortlisted for the tender, along with two other contenders.