Coal train drivers across the Hunter are set to stop work for 30 hours from Sunday night as a long‑running pay dispute with Aurizon escalates.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW members employed by Aurizon Coal will take protected industrial action from 9pm on Sunday, April 12 until 3am Tuesday, April 14. The stoppage is expected to impact coal haulage operations across NSW, including the Hunter and Illawarra regions.
The union says the action follows stalled negotiations over pay and conditions, claiming workers have experienced years of falling real wages and increasing pressure at work. The RTBU has also raised concerns about Aurizon’s management culture, including allegations of bullying and coercive behaviour that were recently referred to the rail safety regulator.
The dispute comes weeks after the Fair Work Commission found Aurizon had taken unlawful industrial action by directing workers to leave or not complete work because they would not confirm whether they would drive a vehicle displaying an RTBU campaign sticker.
RTBU NSW locomotive division secretary Farren Campbell said workers had been left with little choice.
“Aurizon workers and their families have put up with years of rising living costs while their pay has failed to keep up,” he said.
“Our members don’t want to take industrial action, but they deserve fair wages, decent conditions and respect at work.”
Aurizon said negotiations have been ongoing for more than 11 months and its current offer includes a 19 per cent wage increase over four years. The company said union claims, including a higher pay rise and additional conditions, were not sustainable and would lead to significant cost increases without productivity improvements.
