By Alex Bainbridge
HUNTER VALLEY — On July 4 and 7, coal trains were turned away empty at the Hunter Valley No. 1 coal mine by striking miners and their supporters. On July 8, FreightCorp — the train operator — refused to send another train.
The train drivers were Public Transport Union (PTU) members who refused to cross the miners' picket line, which was being defended by more than 300 workers and their families. On July 7, a bus load of Maritime Union members also joined the picket.
Only July 7, managers from FreightCorp and Rail Access Corporation (the owners of the track) were on the train. They refused to allow the strikers or union officials to speak to the PTU driver.
The train drivers have refused to cross the picket line for safety reasons — the police couldn't guarantee that the track would be kept clear. Their actions cannot, therefore, be considered a secondary boycott.
Nevertheless, the drivers' decision is a victory for union solidarity. That's certainly how the bosses view it. Mine manager Allan Davies has reportedly asked FreightCorp to provide a driver who is prepared "to put the train across the picket".
As well, the Port Waratah Coal Service has threatened its workers with "termination without notice" if they refuse to load coal that arrives at the port.
John Howard is reported to have said that the miners should accept individual contacts and "surrender control over things that should never have been in their hands ... It's only fair and reasonable that a company be able to run its mine."
The NSW Liberal opposition has urged the state government to order FreightCorp to send trains across the picket lines, backed up by the police force if necessary.
Letters of support and/or donations for the striking miners can be sent to the CFMEU at 3rd floor, 361 Kent Street, Sydney 2000, or fax (02) 9262 1928.