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Coles & Woolies:
Don’t let Australian
Truckies Down
The Transport Workers Union has today continued its fight to hold the major transport clients
accountable and bring relief for transport workers and their families.
Owner drivers and employees protested outside the Woolworths Supermarket in St Clair to
inform customers of the major retailer about the current plight of drivers around Australia
because of the current spike in fuel prices.
TWU Secretary Tony Sheldon: “Drivers are being pushed longer and harder by transport
clients and the recent explosion in fuel costs are hitting transport companies and owner
drivers hard.
“Drivers continue to fight for national legislation that allows for a system of safe enforceable
rates and cost recovery from the major retailers.
“Drivers are currently having to absorb the spikes in fuel prices. A system of cost recovery
would allow drivers to safely maintain their vehicles and spend less time on the roads.
“The major retailers like Coles and Woolworths increase the costs of goods for every
member of the public and use the rising fuel costs as an excuse, yet this money isn’t passed
down the transport chain to the drivers.
“This is an important issue for every motorist. The introduction of this national framework
to hold the major retailers accountable is about ensuring that we have safer rods for truck
drivers and other road users.
The transport industry is already a shockingly tough industry with 228 people losing their
lives in the last financial year as a result of heavy vehicle incidents.
With rates of pay in the transport industry spiralling down by 5.6% last year (Australian
Bureau of Statistics, non-unionised transport sector) and owner drivers struggling against
client pressures this is about protecting road users.
This is on the back of Woolworths announcing an increase in sales growth of 6.7% or $7.4
billion.
Every Australian should be aware of the economic power that the major retailers have and
their ability to relieve the pressures experienced by drivers because of the spikes in fuel
prices. This campaign is about getting the major retailers to contribute their fair share in
providing relief to drivers.
Media contact Josh McIntosh 0408 463 199.
Media Contact Josh McIntosh 0408 463 199.
17 July 2008
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