Rio Tinto's Pilbara train drivers set to strike

Train drivers at Rio Tinto's Pilbara operations are expected to walk off the job for 12 hours this Saturday 11 October, participating in the company's first industrial action incident in Western Australia since 1992.

The company's 39 train drivers are expected to vote in favour of the work stoppage at a Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union meeting last night, mining division secretary Gary Wood said.

The drivers are seeking an annual pay rise of 4.75%, plus $20,000 a year for employees affected by Rio's plans to introduce driverless trains at its Pilbara operations by 2012.

Rio made the automation announcement in January, planning to control the Pilbara mines from a new centre in Perth, about 1300 km from the railways.

Wood said the union would have preferred to negotiate with Rio to avoid industrial action but the company had not responded to a written request to meet and discuss the matter.

"We would have preferred to come to the table and negotiate rather than having to resort to having stoppages," he said.

"Because the Workplace Relations Act is obviously deficient and doesn't allow for arbitration, we're really left with no other option but to try to force them to come to the table — something they've refused to do for the last three months.

"Then there is the issue of a $20,000 allowance, which they get paid for driving on the main rail line, but if they revert to driverless trains and those people are restricted to guard work, it could mean a $20,000 reduction in earnings," Wood.

"We want it rolled into their base salary, so there are no changes as a result of introducing new technology.

A Rio Tinto spokesman said he hoped industrial action could be avoided.

"We haven't lost a day since adopting direct engagement (with employees) in 1992," he said.

"It would be a shame if that record were to be spoiled."