Pacific National parent company Asciano confirmed members of the Rail Tram and Bus Union escalated the dispute with the stoppages, but it was still no closer to coming to an agreement over wages.

As a result of the protected industrial action, Pacific National Coal was unable to load, haul and unload its coal trains in NSW – preventing at least 600,000 tonnes of coal from reaching the port and impacting its customer service.

These exports are worth approximately $3.91 million per day in royalties to the NSW Government, Pacific National Coal director David Irwin said.

“The RTBU’s stoppage will do nothing other than harm the coal industry, our employees and the NSW economy through lost exports, lost employee earnings, lost Government royalty revenue and damage to the coal industry delivery reputation,” he said.

“It needs to be understood that the 600,000 tonnes of delivered coal lost as a result of this action cannot be recovered in the future. NSW Coal Chains operate at maximum capacity every day of the week, meaning these losses are real.”

Irwin said he hoped RTBU quickly recognised that focusing their efforts on a “sustainable and rational agreement outcome would be a much more productive approach for all concerned”

“Our offer of consent arbitration remains on the table and we cannot understand why in an environment where we are already seeing extensive job losses and mine closures amongst our customers the RTBU is steadfastly refusing to accept what is a sure way to bring a quick end to this dispute,” he said.

RTBU national secretary Bob Nanva said: “Pacific National has deliberately brought these negotiations to a standstill, leaving the RTBU no option other than industrial action.”