Strike Action was avoided...........This was the story from the...

Strike Action was avoided...........

This was the story from the Newcastle Herald....

Coal transport strike
28 May, 2010 09:28 AM
Coal transportation has come to a halt at the Antiene depot near Lidelle as Rail, Tram and Bus Union members strike against Pacific National.
Workers in Pacific National began their strike at midnight last night which is expected to last for 48 hours.

The strike will include administrative, professional and maintenance staff with action to be taken at depots at Newcastle, Port Kembla, Lithgow and Mudgee in addition to Antiene.

Rail, Tram and Bus Union branch secretary Alex Claassens said workers in Pacific Nationals coal division were fed up with the refusal of company management to agree on wages and conditions.

Railway workers have been forced to take a strong stand to get a fair and reasonable deal.

Issues relating to depots and support staff remain unresolved, he said.

Railway workers play an important role in generating employment and prosperity to NSW, especially through transport of coal to export terminals.

Without railway workers, the wheels of the coal industry grind to a halt.

Unfortunately due to Pacific Nationals failure to negotiate, those wheels will stop turning for 48 hours.