Boom causing employment pain

Local trucking companies say they are feeling the pinch of the mining boom, with many drivers taking advantage of mining industry pay cheques.

Despite an increasing workload, owners are finding it harder to keep employees, with experienced drivers migrating to mining companies.

Fusion Contracting WA owner Casper Edwards said his Port Hedland-based transport company had trouble both keeping drivers and housing them.

“The accommodation is the biggest problem,” he said.

“I’d like to be able to purchase more property but I’m not going to buy a 50-year-old house for a million dollars.

“On top of that I’ve had to increase the pay rate to keep drivers on, it’s getting tighter and tighter to break even.”

WA Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association chairman Ray Pratt said an increasing number of road train drivers left for the mine industry.

But Bullbuck owner and long-time Port Hedland trucking magnate Graham Buckley disagreed.

“I wouldn’t say that truckies are going to the mines,” the Bullbuck owner said.

“We’ve been up here 12 years and have never had to advertise.

“The pay rate is up here, drivers in Port Hedland are getting paid double than what drivers in Perth would be getting.”

Mr Pratt said the road train industry had to be looked at as it would soon be at crisis point.