Over 150 Westrac workers will walk off the job today at 2pm over the company's 50-hour-week policy.
The workers – diesel mechanics, boilermakers, and auto-electricians – are employed at Westrac's repair centres in Tomago and Mt Thorley, where they maintain the heavy machinery that drives the Hunter Valley's mining industry, including Caterpillar bulldozers, excavators and the giant dump trucks the company is known for.
Westrack workers work 10 hours a day, 5 shifts a week, starting at either 6am or at 4pm finishing at 2am.
On top of this the workforce receives shift penalties for working weekends substantially less favourable than the award.
But punishing hours is not the only issue front of mind for the workforce as they negotiate a new three year enterprise agreement with Westrac.
Despite being essential to the operation of the mining sector, these workers are being offered wage increases well below industry standards — a deal so poor that 95% of workers voted to reject it.
The proposed deal includes paltry annual increases of 3.2%, 3.1%, and 3%, all while attempting to strip away key employment conditions such as overtime protections and proper notice for shift changes.
"Our members at Westrack work 50-hour weeks, that's outrageous," said Cameron Wright, NSW Vice President of the Australian Workers' Union.
"That's not standard practice in our industry — that's exploitation.
"Our members tell me they barely see their kids because of the grueling hours.
In addition to below-average pay, workers are speaking out against Westrac's broader treatment of its workforce.
The company has a 20% annual staff turnover rate — meaning 1 in 5 workers leave within a year, a sign of the deep dissatisfaction on the shop floor.
"Morale is at rock bottom, and management couldn't care less," said Mr Wright.
"Their approach to bargaining has been nothing short of arrogant — they treat us with disdain."
Westrac is owned by Seven Group Holdings, controlled by Kerry Stokes, who currently sits at #11 on the Forbes Rich List with an estimated fortune of $7.7 billion.
Despite the company's profitability and his personal wealth, Stokes has so far refused to ensure that Westrac workers are paid fairly for their skilled labour.
"While Kerry Stokes sits on billions, our members are out here at all hours of the day fixing multimillion-dollar mining equipment and struggling to make ends meet," said Wright.
The strike action today includes workers walking off during the last two hours of their shift — covering both day (6am–4pm) and night (4pm–2am) crews — with a protest gathering on the corner of Tomago Road and Westrac Drive.
A visible crowd of over 150 union members and supporters for a site meeting and BBQ, determined to make their message heard loud and clear.
A survey of union members showed 97% are ready to fight hard for a better deal.
"We're not asking for the world," said Wright.
"We're asking for what's fair — industry standard pay, proper conditions, and respect."
The workers are calling on Westrac to return to the bargaining table with a genuine offer that reflects their value and respects their rights.
