Former Jarvis employees join rally over job cuts

Former employees of Jarvis from across the UK will attend a rally in Leeds on Friday as the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union continues to highlight the fight to save the 1,200 jobs.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: "With politicians expected to be jammed in talks, stitching together deals to protect their own jobs, Jarvis rail workers will be out on the streets of Leeds, fighting for their futures and for their industry.

"It's a disgrace that a mismanaged company like Jarvis can be allowed to crash and burn with the employees, essential workers playing a safety-critical role on the rail network, kicked in the teeth and dumped out on the cobbles.

"Network Rail have sat back and watched while this scandal has unfolded and we repeat our demand that Network Rail should ensure an orderly transfer of the Jarvis work to companies that are committed to re-engaging the Jarvis workforce on their existing terms and conditions."

Administrators Deloitte announced the job cuts earlier this year, saying that, in the absence of further funding, it was not possible to continue operating parts of the Jarvis group.

The redundancies hit staff at the head office in York, as well as in Doncaster, Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle and Peterborough.

A Network Rail (NR) spokesman said: "Jarvis's downfall has been well-documented over many years of poor performance and bad business decisions.

"NR is working with its administrators to do all it can to help ex-Jarvis workers but investment in the railway must continue and other more successful and competitive contractors are now taking up the reins."