More than 150 Westrac workers staged a walk-off at 2pm on August 14, demanding improved working conditions and wage offers they say fall far below industry standards.
The industrial action comes as tensions mount at Westrac’s repair centres in Tomago and Mt Thorley, where diesel mechanics, boilermakers, and auto-electricians maintain the heavy-duty Caterpillar machinery critical to the Hunter Valley’s mining operations.
The workforce, responsible for the upkeep of bulldozers, excavators, and the company’s signature dump trucks, faces highly demanding schedules.
Typical shifts run for 10 hours, five days a week, beginning as early as 6am and closing as late as 2am for night crews.
Weekend penalties, workers claim, remain well below award standards, leaving many feeling undervalued and exhausted.
Negotiations for a new three-year enterprise agreement have deadlocked, with 95 per cent of staff rejecting Westrac’s offer of annual pay increases of just 3.2 per cent, 3.1 per cent, and 3 per cent.
Workers say the proposal also threatens to remove vital conditions, including overtime protections and adequate 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 gruelling hours.”
Discontent has deepened amid Westrac’s 20 per cent annual staff turnover rate, suggesting one in five workers leave each year. Union representatives argue this is proof of severe dissatisfaction.
“Morale is at rock bottom, and management couldn’t care less,” added Wright.
“Their approach to bargaining has been nothing short of arrogant — they treat us with disdain.”
Westrac, owned by Seven Group Holdings under the control of billionaire Kerry Stokes — ranked #11 on the Forbes Rich List with a fortune estimated at $7.7 billion — has continued to post robust profits.
Still, unionists say Stokes declines to assure fair pay for skilled staff.
“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,” Wright said.
Thursday’s strike saw day and night shift crews down tools for the last two hours, with a protest and BBQ at the corner of Tomago Road and Westrac Drive.
An overwhelming 97 per cent of surveyed union members declared readiness to keep fighting for a better deal.
“We’re not asking for the world,” Wright emphasised.
“We’re asking for what’s fair — industry standard pay, proper conditions, and respect.”
Workers are urging Westrac to resume negotiations and offer a contract that reflects their true value.