Hi,

With yet another report confirming that economic factors have a direct impact on the massive death toll in the road transport industry, drivers are calling for the urgent implementation of Safe Rates across Australia.

Too often there is no recourse over conditions or rates of pay, and the only control a truck driver has is to make up time and through unsafe practices.The NSW Injury Risk Management Research Centre has said that crash rates are up by 25 per cent, and also confirmed the industry is ‘driven by incentives and continuous pressure that require them to drive faster’.

We all know economic pressures on drivers have increased. We need to act now.

Since 1989 there have been 3835 deaths in the road transport industry. According to the NRMA,  this has increased year on year, with over 300 people killed last year.  The situation on our roads is dire and we need to come to a resolution on Safe Rates as a matter of urgency.

An independent tribunal would see large improvements in safety and the way the industry is run.

Just last Friday, industry news reported that 'A study by a team of academics in the US led by Professor Michael Belzer found the probability of a truck crash fell by 36 percent for every 10 percent increase in wages'.

You can support the campaign by joining us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/TWUAustralia

Or by writing to your Federal local member and ask them to support our campaign. Visit here to check your electorate and find out who your MP is.

Once again,  on behalf of truck drivers and their families,  I thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely,

Tony Sheldon
National Secretary
Transport Workers Union of Australia

The New Financial Year
As the new financial year begins it is as clear how critical the transport and distribution industries are to the Australian economy.

Michael Kaine, national assistant secretary of the Transport Workers Union of Australia and member of the Safe Rates Advisory Group said:

"Transport and distribution is critical to the economy, and accounts for around 15 per cent of GDP in Australia. It comes at an increasing cost to the community."

There are over 300 deaths due to truck crashes in Australia each year, and a recent report by NRMA stated this cost the national economy over $2 billion each year. It’s impossible to understand the full weight of the human cost.

"The road freight task is set to triple by 2050. We have to make sure the road toll doesn't triple with it."

Three days before she became Prime Minister, Julia Gillard met with the TWU and drivers saying, “There is clearly a compelling case evolving for an independent assessment of what constitutes a ‘safe rate.’”

This is great news for owner-drivers and employee drivers. .

Convoy to Canberra
On June 20 the Transport Workers Union led a vehicle convoy made up of hundreds of trucks, buses and supporters vehicles to the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra to show support for the Federal Government’s commitment to put in place a system of Safe Rates and Conditions for truck drivers.

Transport Workers Union national secretary, Tony Sheldon, said that truck drivers wanted in place an independent tribunal committed to the road transport industry, so that disputes can be reconciled in an efficient manner.



You can read the Canberra Times' coverage of the day here

Prime Minister, Julia Gillard met with the Safe Rates Advisory Group and said “The issue of concern is that current pay and conditions methods can result in drivers working excessive hours to meet schedules, overloading their trucks and cutting back on vehicle maintenance … the Government remains committed to working with all parties to improve road safety for the trucking industry."

You have already taken the first step by sigining up to support our campaign. We are also asking that you:

1. Join us on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/TWUAustralia
2. Come to a TWU event – we’ll try to keep you up to date here and if you hear about an event, make sure you get along.