The AMWU is launching a 'Build Them Here' campaign to call on the New South Wales Government to award transport contracts locally, rather than send them overseas.
An independent report commissioned by the AMWU says that awarding train, bus and ferry contracts to manufacturers in the Hunter region, will create 1200 direct jobs and boost the local economy by $1.3 billion.
AMWU NSW Secretary, Tim Ayres, said the local manufacturing industry is “at a crossroads” and the NSW Government must utilize this opportunity to invest in specialist skills and manufacturing capacity.
“The announcement of new buses, ferries and trains means the NSW Government has a great opportunity to invest in our state and in the future of NSW manufacturing.
“We are asking the NSW Government to invest taxpayers’ money in the manufacturing workers of NSW and give them the opportunity to build our buses, ferries and trains, instead of sending the work overseas.”
Local content requirements for public transport procurement have dropped significantly in recent years.
Train carriages and buses are now commonly brought in from overseas in flat pack or shell form, to be fitted and out and given their finishing touches here.
Mr Ayres said a strong transport manufacturing industry in NSW can build jobs, offer an efficient solution to public transport procurement, and drive our economy.
“If the NSW Government – the biggest player in transport procurement – continues to send the work to low-cost offshore competitors, it won’t be long before we lose our skills base and manufacturing capacity.
“Here in NSW, we have some of the best manufacturing technology and most skilled manufacturing workers in the world.
“They aren’t just building our infrastructure, they are also creating skilled jobs, developing valuable intellectual property, contributing to local communities and strengthening the NSW economy,” said Mr Ayres.
“It makes sense to build them here.”
For more information and to show your commitment to keeping jobs local, visit the Build Them Here campaign.