COAL trains were idle in central Queensland yesterday after the state branch of the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) called a 24-hour strike.

The stoppage, at three depots, followed the Fair Work Commission's decision to allow Aurizon to terminate a number of enterprise agreements.

RTBU state secretary Owen Doogan said the strike affected depots at Callimondah (Gladstone), Rockhampton and Bluff, east of Blackwater.

"We have also imposed an overtime ban at Mackay, Rockhampton and Maryborough and are stopping the transport of perishable goods on trains between Brisbane and Townsville," Mr Doogan said.

"This was our first industrial action since early this year and yesterday we lodged an appeal against the decision to the Federal Court.

"We are looking for a judicial review of the decision," Mr Doogan said.

"We are asking for the appeal to be heard before May 18, when the old agreements will be terminated."

Mr Doogan said the strike could be the first of more during the next few weeks depending on how negotiations went.

"We want to negotiate a settlement. If Aurizon is prepared to negotiate, we will not seek further action.

"We have been seeking negotiations for more than a year and while some progress has been made, things are not moving fast enough as far as we are concerned."

Mr Doogan described last week's FWC decision as "bizarre'' saying it went against the Fair Work Act and was an anti-workers decision.

Aurizon applied to the FWC last May to have existing agreements terminated after failed attempts to negotiate a new agreement with unions.

An Aurizon spokesperson last week said the company would strive to implement a modern, productive workplace agreement across the business.