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Union imposes sugar train bans in wake of accident
19 September 2009
The Australian Workers' Union have imposed immediate and indefinite bans on single-driver cane train operations across seven Queensland sugar mills following a serious accident overnight.
AWU Northern District Secretary Rod Stockham said an incident involving a cane train servicing the CSR Pioneer mill in north Queensland had resulted in serious injuries to a worker, who was transported to Townsville Hospital.
“First and foremost, the Union’s concern is for the welfare of the injured worker, their family and colleagues,” he said.
Mr Stockham said the AWU had been in dispute with CSR since 2001 about the operation of single-driver remote shunting units.
"The AWU has been steadfast – they are inherently unsafe,” he said.
"As a result of the incident overnight, I have instructed that there be an immediate and indefinite ban on the operation of these units at seven CSR mills - Plane Creek near Sarina, Inkerman, Pioneer, Kalamia and Invicta mills in the Burdekin region, and Victoria and Macknade in Herbert River region)."
The AWU will be seeking further talks with CSR.
All electoral matter is authorised by Bill Ludwig, Branch Secretary