CZECH Railways announced on September 1 that it was introducing a new organisational structure as part of its four-stage programme to transform the state-owned company into a holding group. CD is being assisted with the development and implementation of the new structure by Spanish National Railways under an EU-funded programme started last year.
As a first step, CD has abolished the split between its operations and infrastructure businesses, and centralised the management of finances, accounts, legal and personnel. Merging the Commercial & Operations and Infrastructure divisions has eliminated around 150 senior management posts (p694). A further round of job cuts at middle-management level is scheduled for January 2004.
CD plans to retain its six regional offices, but responsibility for ancillary activities is being transferred to subsidiary companies which may be wholly or partially floated. n
