The drivers, who control up to 35,000 tonnes of iron ore at any one time, are clocking up shifts lasting as long as 16 hours. More regularly, the drivers are working 13-hour shifts. These same WPA drivers were assured before they signed up that they would not be asked to operate the controls of a train for more than 12 hours. These drivers are reluctant to refuse the longer shifts because they fear a poor performance review.
Long shifts are unsafe shifts.
Without a collective agreement, workers who sign a WPA and leave the union are on their own.