| Train drivers at Rio's Pilbara operations plan strikes |
 EXPORTS from Rio Tinto's massive Pilbara iron ore operations will be hampered by strikes starting this Saturday, when train drivers will walk off the job, a union says.
This will be the first industrial action at the mining giant's Pilbara operations in Western Australia since 1992.
The company's 39 train drivers, members of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, voted unanimously in favour of the stoppage at a meeting in Perth last night, union mining division secretary Gary Wood said.
The drivers are seeking an annual pay rise of 4.75 per cent plus $20,000 a year for employees affected by Rio's plans to introduce driverless trains at its Pilbara operations by 2012.
Rio announced the ambitious automation plans in January. Its Pilbara mines would be controlled from a new centre in Perth, about 1,300 kilometres from the miner's railways.
Mr Wood said a 4.75 per cent salary increase would be in line with consumer price index (CPI) adjustments to the end of June. He said industrial action would begin with a 12 hour stoppage.
Rio would be served today with notice of protected action, providing the three days notice required under the federal Workplace Relations Act, he said.
"Clearly, the workforce believe it is time for a change,'' Mr Wood said. "The claim that has been put forward by the union is in the form of a modern, flexible agreement that delivers for both parties.
''... The workers feel they are being treated more like a number than respected employees.''
Mr Wood said the industrial action would affect Rio's iron ore output.
"Some trains will run into Cape Lambert and some from Pannawonica but the main line from most of their operations is in through the Dampier Port,'' he said. But Mr Wood said said the strike may have been avoided had the Workplace Relations Act allowed arbitration in certain circumstances.
The train drivers will wait for the company's response to Saturday's strike before deciding on further action.
Source: AdelaideNow - http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24459860-913,00.html
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