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TWU national secretary, Tony Sheldon, said that drivers were frustrated little action had been taken since a report into the industry released 12 months ago showed that transport clients were forcing unsafe driving practices through low rates of pay
“The Transport Workers Union, responsible trucking companies and the federal government are coming to an agreement on what a safe and fair payment system for the transport industry should look like,” Mr Sheldon said.
Mr Sheldon said that although this morning’s action would have caused some inconvenience to travellers and commuters, the community was pushed to the limit and demanding to be heard.
“Whenever we see a person killed at work in a mine accident or on a building site or in the shipping and rail industries, there is rightfully a full investigation into the incident and those who have done the wrong thing are held accountable.
“But when there is yet another death in the trucking industry, it is just treated as a statistic. We are not second-class citizens and our lives – as well as the community’s wellbeing depends on it.
“Truck drivers should not be forced by client economic pressure to work unsafe hours or drive to unsafe driving plans in order to make a living. We need a system of payments where a driver can receive full cost recovery, including paid waiting times and rising fuel costs.”
Seth Tenkate
Press Secretary
Transport Workers Union
Mob 0408 463 199