Updated
Hundreds of Hunter region workers at coal haulage company Pacific National will walk off the job this week over a long running industrial dispute.
The Rail Tram and Bus Union says the coal train drivers have serious concerns about wages and conditions, and are being bullied and intimidated by the company.
The stoppage will start at midday on Friday and run for 24 hours.
Union National Secretary Bob Nanva says the industrial action will affect the transportation of more than 300,000 tonnes of coal to the Port of Newcastle.
"We have seen no movement from the company on our entirely justifiable wage claims nor around conditions such as drug and alcohol testing which test for impairment rather than what someone might have done in their private time," he said.
"These are very important claims for our members ones that they do not want to take a backward step on."
He says Pacific National workers rejected a wage and conditions offer in December.
"Since the vote in December to reject the agreement we have seen the company try to bully threaten and harass the workforce into accepting an agreement they simply do not want.
"We are saying its time for that campaign of harassment to end, for them to sit at the table, negotiate like adults and reach a reasonable outcome."
Topics: coal, rail-transport, newcastle-2300, muswellbrook-2333
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