A NUMBER of former Jarvis workers are being offered new contracts with the company’s successor – but only 25 of them are from York.

Jarvis, which provided services for Network Rail, went into administration in April with the loss of 350 York jobs.

Babcock has now taken on the framework of agreement to renew track for Network Rail, and will re-employ 346 workers from around the country who were specifically employed in track renewal.

Those workers will transfer over to Babcock, but on the proviso they take on Babcock’s terms and conditions.

Some will immediately be made redundant, but they will have continuity of service so will receive redundancy payments, unlike the vast majority of Jarvis workers who will receive nothing following the company’s financial meltdown.

A spokeswoman for Babcock said none of the 25 workers from York – who are mainly office staff – would be made redundant.

But Bill Rawcliffe, the York and District branch secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), said he would “believe it when he sees it”.

Mr Rawcliffe said if, as Babcock had said, some of those 346 workers who were transferring over would have continuity of service but would be made redundant, then the company should be in consultation with the RMT, but so far had not been.

He said the RMT nationally had written to Babcock asking for talks to take place by June 14.

York MP Hugh Bayley said any redeployments were to be welcomed. He said: “Hundreds of Jarvis workers were made redundant and they are all looking for new jobs.

“This contract with Babcock is a start and I’m relieved to hear that some of the office staff will be taken on as well as the track workers.

“I hope Network Rail will sign additional contracts to enable more Jarvis workers to be re-employed.”

Peter Henderson, Network Rail’s director of asset management, said: “This contract represents a significant proportion of our track renewals activity and it was crucial that we found a contractor who could deliver safe, reliable renewals and who also offered value for money.

“We have completed this process as quickly as possible and I hope that Babcock’s announcement will be welcomed by former Jarvis employees.”