The Queensland Branch of the RTBU, with the support of the National Office, convened the National Coal Train Drivers Conference in July 26 at Sarina, near Mackay, in Queensland.

The conference bought together 40 drivers from across the country, plus a representative from New Zealand.

Ten NSW drivers attended from the three main coal operators, Pacific National, Freightliner and Queensland National. Queensland also had 15 drivers from QRN and Pacific National, and one member came from Collie, Western Australia.

All delegates gave an account of issues at their respective companies and depots, and it was amazing to hear how their similar issues were across all states, despite have quite different enterprise agreements.

The main issues of concern were rostering, hostile management including inconsistent disciplining of drivers – such as one driver getting a warning while another was suspended for a similar incident.

Other problems were PN Coal and non-union EAs, locomotives not being repaired or kept up to standard, and general employee dissatisfaction over the fact that pay rates are considerably less than others in the area.

Feedback received from the delegates that attended has been very positive and all attendees are keeping in contact to pass on information about issues across the borders.

Bob Nanva, National Secretary addressed the conference, as did Qld Branch Secretary Owen Doogan and NSW Branch Secretary Alex Claassens.

There was also very good input from Bruce Mackie (Qld State President), Bob Hayden (NSW Loco Secretary), Shayne Kummerfield (Qld Organiser), Les Moffitt (Northern Organiser), Steve Wright (NSW Loco Organiser), Craig Allen (Central Qld Organiser) and Ian Wyllie (Sarina Organiser).

QLD Rail National is expanding at a rapid rate, with employee numbers at the Newcastle coal depot recently jumping from 30 to 230.

The Loco Division was pleased to visit the depot recently and meet all the new workers behind the company’s rapid growth.

The Division would like to welcome all its new members from the depot. Together we can ensure members are looked after and receive the recognition they deserve for QR’s success.

The RTBU Loco Division is preparing to take PN Coal NSW to Fair Work Australia to defend PN coal drivers’ right to the correct Aggregate Allowance package.

During negotiations for the PN Coal EA which wrapped up last year, the RTBU worked hard to change the wording around drivers’ ‘aggregate allowance’, which had been 9.5% of a nominal figure midway between two classifications – with no relevance to PN Coal drivers’ actual wage.

The RTBU argued for an all-up rate to take into account all allowances and entitlements – such as dust allowance and penalty rates – which was achieved in the PN Bulk EA.

PN Coal removed the previous nominal figure and the final EA was voted on and signed off with a reference to “Locomo- tive Drivers Stream – 9.5%”. The RTBU’s position is that the 9.5% relates to each drivers’ respective base rate of pay, rather than the previous figure or any other un-determined figure.

PN is arguing that the arrangements under the previous EA still apply, but the RTBU disagrees.

Over 500 coal drivers across five depots in regional NSW are affected. The change to the calculation of entitlements would mean an increase in the amount paid for Aggregate Allowances.