WORKERS who lost their jobs following the collapse of a rail maintenance firm will stage the latest in a series of protests today as part of a campaign to win back their jobs.

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

More than 300 of the job losses affected Jarvis sites in York and Newcastle, with 50 also lost at the Park Lane depot, in Darlington.

RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “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 has sat back and watched while this scandal has unfolded and today 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.”

A Network Rail (NR) spokesman said: “Jarvis’ 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 successful and competitive contractors are now taking up the reins.”