New Zealand First is asking State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall to explain why KiwiRail is contracting a foreign firm to maintain our rail tracks even though staff facing the sack were told they would not be replaced with contractors. Rt Hon Winston Peters has seen official documents which show Australian-based rail grinding company Speno have been given a contract to maintain 2800 kilometres of track. “This is exactly the sort of maintenance work that should be carried out by KiwiRail usingNew Zealandlabour, not by a foreign company that will take its profits offshore.” Mr Peters says KiwiRail management told staff over the past few weeks that hundreds would lose their jobs, and they wouldn’t be replaced with contractors. “The backhanded move to use an Australian company over KiwiRail’s own staff is insulting. “The Minister should apologise to them and their families and insist on KiwiRail keeping its word,” says Mr Peters.
