Hillside protest sends strong message

A section of the crowd listens to the speakers.
A section of the crowd listens to the speakers.
Labour MP David Parker addresses the rally.
Labour MP David Parker addresses the rally.

Protesters gathering in Dunedin's Octagon have sent a strong message to KiwiRail and the Govnerment to save jobs at Hillside Engineering.

Roads around the lower Octagon and the central carriageway were closed as a crowd - including Hillside workers, union representatives, politicians and the public - gathered at 1pm.

The Otago Daily Times counted between 700 and 1000 people at the rally, while organisers put the figure at 2000.

The Save Hillside campaign was launched in response to a proposal from KiwiRail last month to cut 70 jobs from its nationwide rail manufacturing and maintenance operation, with Hillside scheduled to be the hardest hit, losing up to 40 jobs.

Speakers at the Octagon rally were led by Rail and Maritime Transport Union South Island organiser John Kerr and included Mayor Dave Cull, Labour MPs Clare Curran and Pete Hodgson, Otago Chamber of Commerce president Peter McIntyre and union representatives.

KiwiRail bosses are about to begin their final deliberations to decide which Hillside jobs are likely to go, after a consultation period with the employees and union delegates closed on Friday.

 

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