530 jobs to go at rail freight company

Rail freight company EWS is to axe 530 jobs, rail union TSSA was told today.

TSSA said the Doncaster-based company blamed the recession for a drastic cut in goods moving by rail for the decision to cut its workforce by a tenth.

TSSA general secretary Gerry Doherty and RMT transport union leader Bob Crow called today for urgent talks with Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon to protect the long-term future of rail freight.

Mr Doherty said: "EWS has told us that its work has fallen off the cliff in recent weeks. Virtually all steel and car transporting has come to a near standstill.

"We need to talk to Geoff Hoon urgently if we are to ensure that our freight industry survives this recession. The Government must act sooner rather than later."

The job losses at EWS follow recent announcements by transport giants National Express and Stagecoach that they will cut jobs because of falling demand.