More than 100 freight workers have been stood down indefinitely without pay - innocent victims of rolling industrial action at the Port Kembla Coal Terminal.The Pacific National Coal employees - who load, drive and maintain coal-laded trains, were telephoned yesterday morning and told not to come to work from 7am tomorrow.The shock decision has been blamed on rolling strike action at the coal terminal, even though the freight workers are not involved in the bitter dispute between unions and terminal management.The industrial action has essentially shut down the busy terminal since early February, causing the amount of coal taken to Port Kembla by rail to plummet.Of 108 employees stood down, 61 are from the Illawarra and 47 are based in Lithgow.Pacific National Coal director David Irwin said the freight company had been hit by 306 hours of protected industrial action since January 31 and could no longer afford to keep paying staff when there was no work.‘‘Pacific National Coal has done everything in its power to support its employees and has, until now, made the decision not to stand down employees,’’ he said.However, another 50 hours of strikes scheduled from 5am today has prompted the company to invoke its right to stand down employees without pay for any cause it cannot be held responsible for.Mr Irwin said he regretted the decision and also took a swipe at the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.‘‘We’re disappointed that as a result of the actions of the CFMEU and its Port Kembla Coal Terminal members, we are unable to continue our coal haulage operations with any level of effectiveness or efficiency and we have little option but to stand down our employees,’’ he said.“It’s our intent to get our employees back to work as soon as is practical, however this timing will be driven by any further ongoing protected industrial action by the CFMEU.’’CFMEU district vice-president Bob Timbs said he felt for workers who had been stood down but stressed he had a responsibility to members.‘‘No, we are definitely not responsible for this,’’ he said.‘‘Yes, we are taking industrial action but it’s lawful industrial action and it’s unfortunate that Pacific National Coal, a multimillion-dollar company, won’t stand by its workforce and has taken this action.’’Mr Timbs said planned industrial action could be cancelled if further negotiations today were successful.Under an enterprise agreement, Pacific National Coal is required to give at least 48 hours’ warning, in writing, of its intention to stand workers down.A spokeswoman said staff were either phoned or briefed in person and also provided written notification via email.However, two employees who spoke to the Mercury but did not wish to be named said they never received an email, just a phone call.The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has also been notified of the decision but declined to comment when contacted yesterday.Pacific National Coal said it would work with affected employees to discuss rostering for any limited work available or the taking of annual leave.Port Kembla Coal Terminal employees are scheduled to walk off the job today for four hours from 5am, followed by another four-hour stoppage from 5pm.Tomorrow, the terminal will be hit by a 24-hour stoppage from 7am.Further action is now slated for Friday.Port Kembla Coal Terminal management could not be reached for comment yesterday.