TRAIN drivers at Rio Tinto’s Pilbara operations are planning to stop work for 12 hours on 11 October 2008.
The 39 train drivers voted in favour of the industrial action at a Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union meeting on 6 October 2008.
This action could see up to four trains out of 16 halted, disrupting delivery of iron ore to Dampier and Cape Lambert. This could see a profit hit of $8m.
The workers want an annual pay rise of 4.75%, plus $20,000 a year for employees affected by the miner’s plans to automate its train haulage system at Pilbara.
The automation strategy would see driverless trains in place by 2012, controlled from a Perth-based centre located 1300km from the railways.
The union said it would have preferred a direct negotiation with Rio Tinto, but had to resort to industrial action because the company had refused to come to the table.
According to Rio Tinto, its Pilbara operations have not lost a day to industrial action since it adopted direct engagement with employees in 1992. It has expressed disappointment over the break in the 16-year streak.
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