PN Coal workers announce second 24hr strike

PN Coal workers will stop work for a second consecutive 24 hours this weekend.

Drivers at PN Coal will now strike between midday on Friday and midday on Sunday.

Loco Division Secretary Bob Hayden said the extension on the strike action came after Pacific National today cut its pay offer to 800 employees.

“It’s obviously very difficult to reach an agreement with the company when it is continually lowering its wage offer.

“We said time and again, we don’t’ want to have to take industrial action, but Pacific National has left us with no choice.

RTBU National Secretary Bob Nanva said that Pacific National management have barely budged since 85 per cent of the workforce comprehensively rejected their proposed non-union EBA in December.

“In fact, the company is punishing its workforce for their comprehensive rejection of the non union agreement, by lowering its wage offer.

“The RTBU has taken every possible opportunity presented to us to participate in negotiation. We have twice offered Pacific National intense 48 hour bargaining sessions.

“The company revealed the true value of these train drivers in its most recent profit statement when it reported that Asciano enjoyed a 43 per cent increase in its annual profit.

“PN Coal is doing very well. It can afford a reasonable pay rise for the very people who create that profitability.”