I've seen it a number of times now with PN and now I've seen Aurizon have offered sign-on bonuses for qualified Driver's who are willing to see if the grass is greener with someone else. This isn't just for a specific depot, but being offered for the Qld coal depots, as well as their WA & NSW bulk operations too.

One has to wonder just how bad things have become that they need to do that, and, how much worse things will get before they need to start paying significantly more than the competition to retain crews.

There's now scuttlebutt about BHP offering a $100K bonus to their Driver's if they're willing to sign up for a year of 2/1 working over 2/2  - and that's presumably on top of the 'normal' 2/1 salary as well, so those that do that are likely to do well on their mortgages next year. They're also reported to be offering a $1000 bonus for any additional shifts completed on top of their normal arrangements, such is the extent of their problems.

Makes me wonder if we're going to see some serious wage increases across the board, which can only be a good thing for those of us on the footplate or as an alternative, some serious recruitment in turn good for those who want a start...

The grass maybe greener but, you’ll need a bigger farking lawn mower. Quote from a former employer.
And he’ll read this.

I've seen it a number of times now with PN and now I've seen Aurizon have offered sign-on bonuses for qualified Driver's who are willing to see if the grass is greener with someone else. This isn't just for a specific depot, but being offered for the Qld coal depots, as well as their WA & NSW bulk operations too.

One has to wonder just how bad things have become that they need to do that, and, how much worse things will get before they need to start paying significantly more than the competition to retain crews.

There's now scuttlebutt about BHP offering a $100K bonus to their Driver's if they're willing to sign up for a year of 2/1 working over 2/2  - and that's presumably on top of the 'normal' 2/1 salary as well, so those that do that are likely to do well on their mortgages next year. They're also reported to be offering a $1000 bonus for any additional shifts completed on top of their normal arrangements, such is the extent of their problems.

Makes me wonder if we're going to see some serious wage increases across the board, which can only be a good thing for those of us on the footplate or as an alternative, some serious recruitment in turn good for those who want a start...

The problem for the company with sign-on bonuses, is that train crew can see if the grass really is greener, hang around until the bonus is paid and then head back to where they've come from. I'm aware of this happening on at least one occasion. Recent EA negotiations across the industry would suggest that the penny has yet to drop with management. Also, the continued expansion of labour hire would suggest that management still think wages and conditions are excessive.

QUBE has also been offering a signing bonus for Melbourne, Junee, Port Kembla, Taree and Brisbane. For Assistant and Qualified Crews, when I looked on SEEK at the end of March and in mid-April.

SCT is also reportedly offering a signing bonus for Whyalla based Trainee, Assistant and Qualified Crews. They want DPU Experience for their Assistant and Qualified Crews.

I still think the biggest problem here is the lack of investment in recruiting and training of new drivers. There is no shortage of people wanting to do the job but trainee opportunities are few and far between.
I have applied for trainee driver positions with several operators and each time there are hundreds of applicants for only a handful of positions.

I still think the biggest problem here is the lack of investment in recruiting and training of new drivers. There is no shortage of people wanting to do the job but trainee opportunities are few and far between.
I have applied for trainee driver positions with several operators and each time there are hundreds of applicants for only a handful of positions.

You may be able to increase your chances, if you modify your next application to reflect the "positive" discrimination policies now being used across the industry. The days of employing the best applicant, for the job, appear long gone.

I still think the biggest problem here is the lack of investment in recruiting and training of new drivers. There is no shortage of people wanting to do the job but trainee opportunities are few and far between.
I have applied for trainee driver positions with several operators and each time there are hundreds of applicants for only a handful of positions.

I agree with this statement but it's also not so black and white.

I think a lot of the major companies are struggling with having enough people to do the training so there's a squeeze going on there as well. But that squeeze is being driven by the lack of investment in recruiting.