Protest: Truckies call for reform amid deadly pressures | news.com.au
Truck drivers across the country have taken part in a convoy as they demand better conditions and call for industry reform.
Drivers in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and other major and regional cities gathered on Saturday to show their solidarity.
The Transport Workers’ Union called for industry reform, citing the collapse of several trucking and transport companies, and gig economy contracts which they say place undue pressure on drivers.
The union also highlighted a spate of driver deaths in recent months.
The TWU described the protest as a “unity ticket” involving employers, industry groups, as well as drivers.
TWU national secretary Michael Kaine accused the Morrison government of sitting on the report and urged Anthony Albanese to usher in the legislation, having foreshadowed it would soon be introduced.
“Today really is a unity ticket to say to the federal parliament, ‘when that legislation comes before you, sure, do your job reviewing the legislation, but do it quickly, pass this legislation urgently so we can save lives and make this industry more sustainable’,” he said.
Truckies hit the road to demand transport reforms | AAP
The Transport Workers Union is leading a series of convoys in major cities calling for stronger protections against cutthroat industry demands and the erosion of standards for gig workers.
More than 600 transport drivers turned up outside federal parliament to demand action, two years after a Senate committee report on the industry was handed down.
The union says inaction on the report's recommendations has led to the deaths of 100 workers.
Union boss Michael Kaine wants the laws to rein in the commercial power of major retailers to force workers to undertake unreasonable workloads and to introduce standards for gig workers.
"We're here as industry associations, as employers, as employer associations as unions, as politicians who are all committed to saying we are not going to take another two years and another 100 deaths," he said.
Former Scotts truck driver and TWU delegate John Waltis recounted how one driver in his former company was pressured into taking a job or the company would lose the contract.
"He was asleep at the wheel when he hit a tree and the trailer came up, squashed the truck and it caught fire and he burnt to death," Mr Waltis said.
"We don't only need protection for us. We need to protect everybody that's in the industry."
The union also highlighted the death of Akshay Doultani who was killed while working for a food delivery service two weeks ago.
Trucking industry unites in push for fairer contracts | Big Rigs
The Transport Workers’ Union said the convoys follow a commitment from the federal government to empower the Fair Work Commission to set enforceable standards in transport to make the industry safer, fairer and more sustainable.
“This industry convoy is about showing federal parliament that transport is beyond breaking point and the solution is soon to be on the table before them,” said TWU national secretary Michael Kaine.
Gordan Mackinlay, a board member of the National Road Freighters Association, said he chose to join the convoy because he wanted the industry to be “viable” and to make full-time driving attractive again.
“Our industry has been overlooked and things have got worse.
“I have experienced first-hand what the lack of standards in transport can do to an owner-operator. In 2019, I sold my trucks and went back to being a mechanic.
“Today, I’m joining a convoy calling for reform.
“There are dozens of others like me. That’s why we need reform, and we need it now.”
National Road Transport Association CEO Warren Clark said the industry is at a critical point.
“We need wide-ranging and sensible change that bolsters our viability, builds productivity and enhances safety for everyone,” Clarke said.
ARTIO secretary Peter Anderson said the industry has come together like never before because it shares the same frustrations, and fears for the future of transport.
“We urgently need transport reform passed into law to give all industry participants a fighting chance.”
Darwin truck drivers protest in call for federal regulation legislation to pass parliament | NT News
Top End truckies have joined their colleagues throughout Australia in calling on the federal government to “fix the crisis in Australia’s deadliest industry”.
Transport Workers Union NT organiser Barry Norton said 34 truck drivers had died in crashes so far this year “so that’s 34 empty seats at the dinner table — we’ve got to stop this”.
Mr Norton said Saturday’s protests were about getting the government to pass legislation to better regulate the industry, saying “basically we want standards to lift”.
Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation secretary Peter Anderson said the proposed legislation would “unlock the industry’s potential”.
“Employers and workers alike know that transport supply chains have lost accountability, productivity and are becoming progressively more dangerous,” he said.
“We urgently need transport reform passed into law to give all industry participants a fighting chance.”
Protest traffic expected to clog parliamentary triangle | Canberra Times
More than 100 heavy vehicles travelled into Canberra as part of a union and industry protest on Saturday.
Transport Workers' Union national secretary Michael Kaine said the industry was calling for changes to fix a crisis in "Australia's deadliest industry".
The union said employers and industry groups were also involved in the convoy, including Global Express, Toll, Linfox, Bevchain, ACFS, FBT Transwest, NatRoad, Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation and National Road Freighters Association.
