Townsville train strike: How strike will affect supermarket shelves in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville

Townsville train drivers demanding better work conditions have taken a stand, leaving bulk freight trains carrying groceries destined for different parts of Queensland, stranded.

Townsville train drivers demanding better work conditions have taken a stand after their employer locked them out, halting the freight of important commodities such as groceries to the North.

Train drivers employed by Pacific National walked off the job in a statewide protest on Saturday, after a six months of unsuccessful negotiations with the company.

The action left bulk freight trains carrying commodities such as groceries that were destined for Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, stranded.

Staff on Monday took a further blow after PN announced they would impose a further 48-hour lock out period.

Townsville Rail, Tram and Bus Union organiser Les Moffitt said up to 20 train drivers would be impacted by the lockout, with many fearing retribution for taking part in the industrial action.

Pacific National staff including Townsville train drivers took industrial action on Tuesday to gain better working conditions. L to R: Paul White, Jay Cole, Ken Sturgess, Rod Galton, Les Moffitt (centre), Tommy Martin, Brett Haselden, Doug Hellyer, and Simon Crisp.

He said PN’s agreements were one of the “worst” in the state.

“A lot of (what is being asked for) is (about) conditions and better rostering,” Mr Moffitt said.

“And the company has been very arrogant and saying ‘no, no, no’ to everything, and this is how they’ve retaliated when (staff) stood up to them.”

In retaliation to the lockout, Mr Moffitt said staff would not return for an additional two days – but the action would come at a cost to both employers and consumers in the North.

“The guys said we're not going to bow down to them, if they think we’re going to break they’ve got another thing coming,” he said.

“There is no real winners in it …”

The bulk freight trains carry everything from groceries, general freight and day-to-day living items along the east coast.

A local Woolworths manager who spoke with the Bulletin said there had been a delay in their delivery on Tuesday but that quantities in stock were normal.

Questions to PN regarding whether the 48-hour lock out period would be revoked were not left answered.

“Pacific National is committed to bargaining in good faith and working through this matter with our employees and the respective unions,” a Pacific National spokeswoman said.

A Woolworths spokesman said they were aware of various freight rail disruptions across the state, and had begun contingency plans to mitigate potential impacts.

“We’ve rearranged deliveries to road transport as well as other rail providers and are working with our carrier partners to maximise services available to transport products to our Queensland stores,” the spokesman said.

Originally published as Townsville train strike: How strike will affect supermarket shelves in Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton and Townsville