AS many as 110 jobs could go in a massive review at York-based rail operator GNER.

The company, based at Station Rise, today confirmed it was in consultation with staff and trade unions about reorganising its structures.

A GNER spokesman told the Evening Press the review, which was "well under way", would be concluded early in the New Year, with a small number of its countrywide 3,100 staff being affected.

But the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA), one of the rail unions in discussion with GNER, warned today there could be up to 110 redundancies coming into effect in January. The union believes some 20 clerical, 50 managerial and 40 other staff could be affected by the ongoing review.

The union said there had been speculation among its members about possible GNER job cuts since the company won a new ten-year franchise in March, and signed up to a deal that involving giving £1.3 billion in premium payments to the Government.

GNER today said the review was part of a plan to make the company work more effectively and help it look to the future.

"Based on close and ongoing consultation with employees, it is being undertaken in a sensitive and inclusive way, working with employee representatives and the trade unions," the spokesman said.

"It is too early to give precise details, as the outcome will be shaped by the continuing consultation. Any changes will be made early next year."

The TSSA said the review will create some new posts at GNER, but would remove others.

The union said the method of selecting employees either for new posts, or for dismissal, would include:

Any roles that have been significantly changed or withdrawn will result in the "displacement" of the post holders, with all displaced staff being "at risk" of redundancy

All significantly changed and new roles will be advertised internally. Any staff who do not secure a new role will remain "at risk"

A "skills matching process" would then follow to fill remaining vacancies. Any staff not found suitable alternative employment would remain "at risk".

The union said it hoped "natural wastage" would help solve the staff issue before compulsory redundancies were needed.

Steve Coe, TSSA northern organiser, said: "We are entering a discussion with the company about managers and clerical support staff at the moment. They have advised us by law that they intend to make redundancies. We are anticipating the total will be about 110.

"We are quite hopeful we will be able to avoid any compulsory redundancies."

Updated: 12:01 Wednesday, October 26, 2005