DELEGATES RALLY: Drivers Hold Woolworths Accountable for Cost Explosions Over 500 transport workers demonstrated outside the Woolworths store in
Rosehill to highlight the situation being faced by thousands of drivers around Australia
who are not receiving a safe rate of pay or cost recovery from the powerful transport
clients like the major retailers. (Read more)
Action Plan for Safe Rates Campaign Endorsed by 200 TWU Rank and File Delegates The Transport Workers Union and its members are fighting for a national system of safe rates and full cost recovery for employees and owner-drivers to ease the extreme pressure being placed on the safety of drivers. (Read more)
TWU Seeks Fuel Relief for Drivers The Transport Workers Union and its members are fighting for a national system of safe rates and full cost recovery for employees and owner-drivers to ease the extreme pressure being placed on the safety of drivers. (Read more)
A Step in the Right Direction: Federal Government Announces Commitment to National Safe Rates. The National Transport Commission (NTC) will investigate and report on driver
remuneration and payment methods in the Australian trucking industry and make
recommendations for reform. (Download statement)
TWU Welcomes Commitment into Safe Rates for Transport Industry
The Transport Workers Union has today welcomed today’s announcement that the
National Transport Commission (NTC) will investigate and report on options for
implementing a national system of safe rates for employees and owner-drivers. (Read more)
Truckers form fuel price protest convoy More than 100 heavy trucks have formed a go slow convoy from the NSW Southern Highlands to Sydney on Wednesday, in a protest against high fuel prices. (Read more)
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. (Read more)
Truckies Bear Down on Rudd The Rudd government is under pressure to create a national system to compensate truck drivers for rising fuel and repair costs, after the Transport Workers' Union warned that Labor had ignored a resolution adopted by the party's national conference to help owner-drivers offset costs. (Download article)
No Entry for Foreign Drivers The federal government has removed access to temporary visas for truck drivers. (Download article)
Qantas execs get a handle on bags QANTAS are training executives to act as strike breakers as baggage handlers prepare to negotiate a pay deal. (Download article)
TRUCKIES TAKE ACTION OVER FUEL 210 heavy vehicles, and many small cars, today participated in an F3 “GO SLOW” protest over the rising cost of fuel. (Find out more)
Truck Drivers Need Relief from Cost of
Fuel The Transport Workers Union has today announced that it will seek changes through the Industrial courts to allow for cost recovery for owner-drivers in the transport industry. (Find out more)
Comcare Decision Wrong for Future Health
& Safety of Workers The Transport Workers Union has today responded to the decision by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission to grant self-insurance licences under Comcare to transport companies TNT and Transpacific, and defer a decision on Fleetmaster. (Find out more)
JOHN DELLA BOSCA’S CONTRIBUTION TO SAFETY IN
THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY The Transport Workers Union of New South Wales has today acknowledged John Della
Bosca’s vital contribution to improving safety in the transport industry. (Find out more)Speeding truckies no longer scapegoats TRUCKIES who speed and take drugs to stay awake will no longer be the scapegoats for big companies setting unrealistic deadlines. (Find out more)Fuel pain not over: Qantas QANTAS chief executive Geoff Dixon last night threatened to again raise airfares and cut more routes if global oil prices continued to climb, saying the airline would do whatever it took to look after shareholders. (Find out more)Huge hole in security at airport A MAN was able to walk past customs and immigration counters to farewell a friend at the departure gate in a major security breach at Sydney International Airport. (Find out more)QANTAS JOB CUTS THE HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY Yesterday’s decision by Qantas to slash jobs when the company is earning record profits is the height of hypocrisy.
Only yesterday Qantas was advertising for baggage handlers to work in Sydney airport’s ramp services section. (Find out more) QANTAS DECISION TO SLASH JOBS
A KICK IN THE TEETH The decision by Qantas to slash jobs, when the company is earning record profits, is a kick in the teeth for the 38 000 men, women and families who work for the airline.(Find out more)Union Guilty Of Doing Secret Deal to
Dud Workers The Federal Magistrates Court yesterday found that the National Union of
Workers (NUW) and DHL Exel Supply Chain colluded to place employees at the
company's Matraville site on a poor agreement they did not negotiate. (Find out more)Tourism Industry Under Threat from
Poor Aviation Security The Transport Workers Union has used renewed calls for a united approach to bring about real
protections for the safety of airport workers and the traveling public.(Find out more)The TWU strives to save Transport Workers Lives The Transport Workers’ Union of Australia has today endorsed a new safety campaign
for Transport Workers.(Find out more)COST OF COLES PROFITS TOO HIGH The Transport Workers Union has today urged the trucking industry to think twice
before buying fuel from Coles Express Service Stations. (Find out more)Major road transport infrastructure investment needed across Sydney The Transport Workers Union has today called for increased investment in road transport
infrastructure to handle Sydney’s growing freight task. (Find out more)More training needed for transport industry The Transport Workers Union has today called for greater investment in the transport
industry. There is a need to provide a national safety and training program in order to
encourage more drivers into the industry.(Find out more)Update on Inquiries into TWU Training,
Education & Industrial Rights Fund The Transport Workers Union of NSW has received correspondence from
the NSW Industrial Registrar in relation to its inquiries into the Training,
Education and Industrial Rights Fund. (Find out more)DO WE REALLY WANT WALMART INAUSTRALIA? The Transport Workers Union has today questioned any benefit to Australia of allowing
large overseas retailers such as Walmart easier access to Australian shores.(Find out more)
If you would like to learn more about Walmart visit hereAnsett workers to receive more owed money Former Ansett employees will receive an average of approximately
$1,600 of outstanding entitlements in the tenth dividend since the
collapse of the company.(Find out more)TWU Continues to Grow and Fight for its Members The Transport Workers Union of New South Wales has recorded an increase of 25.5% in new membership up to March in 2008 as the fight continues to secure better wages and conditions for employees and owner drivers and improve safety within the transport industry. (Find out more)NSW GOVERNMENT GRANTS
Correction To Sydney Morning Herald As told to the Sydney Morning Herald, monies received by the TWU from WorkCover &
the Motor Accidents Authority were spent to lift safety standards in heavy vehicle transport; an industry where 228 people died in financial year 2006/2007. (Find out more)TWU Welcomes review of 457 visas The Transport Workers Union has today welcomed the announcement that industrial relations commissioner Barbara Deegan will head a review of the 457 visa scheme to examine concerns about the exploitation of migrant workers and salary levels. (Find out more)Baggage Handlers crippled under the strain The Transport Workers Union has launched a campaign for a 20 kilogram checked bag limit at Sydney Airport to bring an end to Qantas Baggage handlers suffering serious injuries carrying passenger’s baggage. (Find out more)TWU To Lift The Corporate Veil on Sham Contracting Arrangements The Transport Workers Union is seeking to set a new benchmark in workers protection in an attempt to lift the corporate veil on those who attempt to dodge their obligations to contract carriers. (Find out more)Qantas Baggage Handlers Take Action Qantas International Ramp baggage handlers have this morning held a meeting to discuss the serious and ongoing safety concerns at Sydney Airport. (Find out more)Qantas Workers Frustrated
Over Serious Safety Concerns Qantas International baggage handlers have today expressed their frustration and disappointment that Qantas management have failed to address serious and ongoing safety concerns at Sydney Airport. (Find out more)TWU TRAINING, EDUCATION &
INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS FUND Corrections to this morning's Sunday Program broadcast into the TWU's Training, Education & Industrial Rights fund. (Find out more)TWU TO CONTINUE PROSECUTING ROGUE TRANSPORT
OPERATORS Transport Workers Union of New South Wales State Secretary, Tony Sheldon, has made clear that the TWU will continue to pursue rogue transport operators who put all road users in danger by breaking the law and underpaying their staff. (Find out more)Rock Throwers Need to be Brought to Justice The Transport Workers Union has called for any person caught throwing
rocks at buses to be dealt with quickly by Police and the Courts. (Find out more)Unions welcome ban on new AWAs & call on employers to allow workers collective agreements Unions today welcomed the ban on new Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs) which passed through Parliament on March 19th. (Find out more)Qantas Workers Frustrated
Over Serious Safety Concerns Qantas International baggage handlers have today expressed their frustration and disappointment that Qantas management have failed to address serious and ongoing safety concerns at Sydney Airport. (Find out more)Two Footy Codes, Two Footy Comps &
$2000 up for grabs! ACTU Member Connect and Members Equity Bank are pleased to present union members with footy tipping competitions for both AFL and NRL codes in 2008! (Find out more)March 2008 Qantas News Alert Qantas CEO Geoff Dixon has announced plans to slash the running costs of the airline to beat that of Virgin Blue. (Find out more)A Message to all members about the Independent Deloitte Review of TWU Training, Education & Industrial Rights Fund Last year I wrote to you in regards to the media commentary and speculation surrounding the Transport Workers Union?fs Training, Education & Industrial Rights Fund. (Find out more)Message from the TWU and Maurice Blackburn We are pleased to announce that Maurice Blackburn are the new TWU Lawyers. (Find out more)DELOITTE REVIEW: TWU TRAINING, EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS FUND The Transport Workers Union of NSW has received a report from Deloitte which has reviewed the operations of the Training Education & Industrial Rights Fund. (Find out more)First workplace relations meeting
with Rudd Government Mr Della Bosca said today’s Workplace Relations Ministerial Council meeting in Melbourne, which will also be attended by his State and Territory colleagues, was an historic opportunity to start work on a new industrial relations framework (Find out more)Bus bans in west's war zone A BUS driver gave a chilling account of being attacked by a thug in a suburban war zone resutling in cancelled services. (Find out more)Road Tragedies: TWU Calls for Full Inquiry ONE boy died and another escaped as two truck crashes claimed the lives of their fathers and another man in NSW in January. (Find out more)Bernie Banton - A True Hero We have lost a true Australian hero today with the passing of Bernie Banton. (Find out more)REFERENDUM ON WORKCHOICES:
AUSTRALIANS SAY ?eBRING BACK FAIRNESS?f The Transport Workers?f Union Congratulates Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd, and the Australian Labor Party, on their win at the polls. (Find out more)Collective Agreement Protects Members at Linfox After 6 months of negotiations, the Transport Workers?f Union and Linfox have signed off on a new three year agreement. (Find out more)Howard Government refuses olive branch over Macarthur Express NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said the Howard Government had revealed its callous attitude towards working families this morning by refusing to accept an offer of conciliation over the Macarthur Express dispute. (Find out more)Resolution for Tristar workers but no thanks to Work Choices NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said today that the Howard Government should hang its head in shame for its role in the Tristar redundancy debacle which dragged on for more than 18 months.
(Find out more)Your Rights At Work Campaign Update This year, working people face an important choice: how should we vote to protect our rights at work and those of our children? The Howard Government's radical industrial relations reforms unfairly curtail our rights at work, cut the amount of time Australians can spend with family, and erode job security. (Find out more)TWU Owner drivers Stand Together and Win Fifteen Mack Truck drivers from Concrete Company Readymix/Rinker proved today that by being union you can win. (Find out more)Young workers still being ripped off under Work Choices NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, announced today that investigations by the Iemma Government reveal young workers are still being denied proper wages and entitlements under Work Choices. (Find out more)TWU MEMBER CELEBRATES 60 YEARS OF BEING UNION Nearly 6 decades ago, a young man called Eric Taylor joined the Transport Workers?f Union after his employer refused to give him a holiday after a year of work. Leaving that job, Mr Taylor began working for John Hannon at Peakhurst, which was unionised and stayed there for 38 years. (Find out more) Work Choices changes already locked in ?| Hockey should resign now NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said today that a pledge by his federal counterpart to resign if there were further reforms to Work Choices was meaningless as changes were already locked in for 2009. (Find out more)Award rationalisation: Howard?fs hidden Work Choices agenda NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca said today?fs statement by John Howard about rationalising industrial awards will provide little comfort for workers trapped under Work Choices. (Find out more)So much for Joe Hockey?fs help! Over 1 month ago Joe Hockey announced that McArthur Express employees would be covered under the Federal Government’s General Employees Entitlements Scheme (GEERS). (Find out more)TWU FIGHTS FOR TRUCK STOPS Truck stops provide a crucial resting place for truck drivers to take a break and manage their fatigue. Client pressure to arrive at destinations faster and stay on the road for longer makes the availability of truck stops all the more important. Driver fatigue is the single most significant cause of road crashes involving heavy vehicles. To assist drivers to take regular rest breaks, truck stops and rest areas must be built on major transport routes. (Find out more)BUS VIOLENCE MUST STOP The growing number of violent attacks on bus drivers is an extremely worrying occurrence. Bus drivers offer a vital service to our community and these attacks are literally putting the lives of bus drivers and their passengers at risk.
(Find out more)NSW welcomes Kevin Rudd?fs plans for safer healthier fairer workplaces NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, today welcomed Federal Labor?fs plans to build workplaces across Australia which are safe and cooperative.
(Find out more)Rudd Labor?fs education tax refund will help working families struggling with rising costs The ACTU today welcomed Labor?fs announcement that if elected to Government it will introduce an education tax refund to assist working families struggling with the rising cost of educating their kids. (Find out more)Rubbery figures from Joe Hockey?fs Workplace Authority cannot be trusted A new report issued by the Workplace Authority is another attempt by Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey to hide the truth about WorkChoices.
(Find out more)Prosecutions to be brought against Chili?fs for failing to pay up NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said today the Iemma Government would be prosecuting Chili?fs chain of restaurants for failing to cough up unpaid wages for young staff.
(Find out more)Liberal Party advertisement is insulting to working families says ACTU A new negative Liberal Party political advertisement launched today by leader-in-waiting Peter Costello is insulting to working families says the ACTU.
(Find out more) TWU CALLS FOR TAXI TRAINING AT
SYDNEY?fS AIRPORTS The TWU is calling on Sydney Airport Corporation Limited (SACL) to consider changes to procedures for taxis dropping off and picking up passengers, following an incident at the International terminal this morning.
(Find out more) Seatbelt retrofit Code for safer buses 11 October 2007: A voluntary guideline will protect bus owners and the public against sub-standard seatbelt retrofit practices.
(Find out more) McArthur Express Fight for Entitlements Hundreds of working families were left out in the cold with the sudden collapse of trucking company McArthur Express on 24 September.
(Find out more) NOT INTERESTED-Joe Hockey refuses to meet with McArthur Express Owner-drivers Joe Hockey has refused to meet with McArthur Express Owner-drivers to explain why he has not allowed for them to be covered under the General Employees Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS).
(Find out more) McArthur Express Workforce and TWU stand together A family BBQ and fun day, provided by TWU Super, Members Equity Bank and the TWU is a show of solidarity between the McArthur Express workforce who are still waiting for Joe Hockey to ensure that both employees and Owner-drivers are covered under the General Employees Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS)
(Find out more) McArthur Express Owner-drivers ask Joe Hockey: What about us? The families of McArthur Express Owner-drivers have been abandoned by Joe Hockey who has refused to guarantee their entitlements.
(Find out more) People who sign up to AWAs earn less,
study shows PEOPLE on Australian Workplace Agreements earn an average of $106 a week less than their counterparts on collective agreements, the biggest study of the new workplace laws has found.
(Find out more) McArthur Express employees ask:Joe Hockey what are you waiting for? Following revelations that security holders will be given priority over the 500 McArthur Express families Transport Workers?f Union members and their families are calling on Joe Hockey, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to step in.
(Find out more) MCARTHUR EXPRESS EMPLOYEES CALL ON JOE HOCKEY The Transport Workers Union and employees of Bon McArthur Transport are calling on Joe Hockey, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to help out the hard working Australian families who have been left without their jobs and without money owed to them by Bon McArthur Transport.
(Find out more) MCARTHUR EXPRESS EMPLOYEES JUST LOOKING FOR ANSWERS Hundreds of families have been left looking for answers after the sudden collapse of trucking company McArthur Express.
(Find out more) ALSO DOWNLOAD:letter to employees | letter to creditors 1 | letter to creditos 2 JOE HOCKEY?fS SPANISH INQUISITION ON THE EVE OF FEDERAL ELECTION News this afternoon that Minister for Workplace Relations Joe Hockey has announced no fewer than 8 inquiries into the Transport Workers?f Union is McCarthyism gone mad.
(Find out more) TWU INDUSTRIAL RIGHTS, EDUCATION AND
TRAINING FUND: THE FACTS There have been a number of erroneous claims about the Industrial Rights, Education and Training fund made over the past few days, including comments made by Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey this morning on ABC?fs AM program.
(Find out more) NSW inquiry into Chili?fs Restaurant reveals Work Choices rip off NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said today the first round of investigations into the Chili?fs chain of restaurants over allegations of staff exploitation under Work Choices had uncovered underpayments of more than $45,000.
(Find out more) Statement from the Transport Workers?f Union:
22 September 2007 Allegations regarding the TWU?fs Training, Education and Industrial Rights
training fund made today on the Sunday program on Channel 9 are now the subject of an independent audit.
(Find out more) Spotlight decision shows IR laws are bad for workers and bad for business A decision by major retailer Spotlight to abandon the use of AWA individual contracts confirms the Howard Government?fs WorkChoices IR laws are bad for both workers and businesses says the ACTU.
(Find out more) State Ministers meet to discuss IR and OH&S NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, has called on Joe Hockey to meet with the State Industrial Relations Ministers in Sydney today.
(Find out more) WorkChoices continues to destroy protected rights for workers NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, today said new academic research by Sydney University clearly demonstrates, once again, that low-paid workers in retail and hospitality are suffering under Work Choices.
(Find out more) QANTAS FAMILIES DESERVE MORE FOR THEIR HARD WORK Qantas staff and families deserve full credit for the record $1 032 Billion yearly profits announced this morning.
(Find out more) Howard Government workplace watchdog approves $3 an hour wage for young worker: fundamental flaw in IR laws exposed The Howard Government's workplace watchdog has approved it was legal for a young woman to be paid less than $3 an hour for working eleven hour days for a Cairns-based diving and tour company.
(Find out more) The voiceless victims John Howard predicted that some workers would be worse off because of Work Choices. Our research indicates that, for women in low-paid employment, he was spot on. Significant negative changes in the workplace have been experienced by such women but the "collateral damage" of Work Choices is being felt far beyond the workplace, reaching into the homes and the communities of these workers. (Find out more) Fairness test to add to Work Choices red tape
from 2 July Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said thousands of NSW businesses will be forced to grapple with extra red tape from 2nd July as the Commonwealth?fs so-called ?gfairness test?h comes into effect. (Find out more) New asbestos safety laws will protect workers and the community The Iemma Government has brought in new laws governing asbestos removal ?| effective from 1 July 2007 ?| designed to improve safety in NSW homes and workplaces. (Find out more) State Wage Case delivers $20 increase to
NSW workers Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, has welcomed today?fs decision by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to award a $20 a week increase to workers on State awards. (Find out more) New laws to provide APEC holiday entitlements NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, has announced new legislation will be introduced to State Parliament today (5 June) to ensure workplace entitlements for Sydney workers are protected during the APEC holiday. (Find out more) More Commonwealth bureaucrats to tell you
the ?gfairness test?h is n/a NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said the revelation today that the Commonwealth would have to employ hundreds of extra bureaucrats to check AWAs met the so-called ?gfairness test?h was a further waste of tax-payers?f money. (Find out more) Cheap labour fear driving campaign CENTRAL Coast truckies could face competition from low-paid foreign drivers if controversial 457 visas are introduced into the transport industry, union officials warn. (Find out more) CALL-TAKERS AT GOVT'S IR HOTLINE TOLD NEVER TO SAY 'I DON'T KNOW' - DESPITE WIDESPREAD CONFUSION Despite widespread confusion over the Federal Government's latest IR changes that were introduced ten days ago without supporting legislation, call-takers at the official government IR hotline have been issued a directive to never say 'I don't know' when callers are unhappy with the lack of information about the new 'Fairness Test. (Find out more) Drivers on frontline HILLSBUS drivers walked off the job for two hours on Friday in protest at timetable changes which have sparked assaults on drivers by frustrated passengers. (Find out more) O?fFarrell fails to learn the Debnam lesson Opposition Leader, Barry O?fFarrell, is refusing to listen to the message that voters sent his party on March 24. (Find out more) Labor seizes on WorkChoices business survey Labor has pounced on a new survey that found four out of five small businesses think they are unlikely to hire more staff under the Federal Government's WorkChoices legislation. (Find out more) NEW ABS DATA PROVES GOVT WRONG: JOBS GROWTH IS LOWER THAN BEFORE NEW IR LAWS ABS data reveals that the number of new jobs created over the past year is less than were created in the year to April 2005, prior to the release of the Government's new IR laws. (Find out more) QANTAS STILL CALLS AUSTRALIA HOME The Transport Workers?f Union is proud that a long and hard campaign against the foreign takeover of Qantas has been won by 37,000 Qantas families. (Find out more) Employers are easily able to evade new
?eFairness Test?f Friday?fs announcement is a confession by the Howard Government that it has gone too far with its extreme and unfair IR laws that have taken away unfair dismissal protections and given employers too much power in the workplace. (Find out more) TWU Delegates recognised at
National Safety Awards Transport Workers?f Union National Secretary Tony Sheldon is proud to congratulate two delegates after they were recognised for their Occupational Health and Safety achievements at the Australian Safety and Compensation Council?fs annual Safe Work Australia Awards. (Find out more) THE ATA HAS FORGOTTEN ITS ROLE, TWU Recent changes to the role of the Australian Trucking Association means the ATA is losing its long term focus with some members of the General Council involved in blatant power grabbing. (Find out more) Road toll expected to increase under new visa Australia?fs roads will become more dangerous, warned National TWU Secretary Tony Sheldon, if the 457 visa is expanded to include truck drivers. (Find out more) PM ATTACKS UNIONS AND IGNORES FACTS ABOUT IMPACT OF NEW IR LAWS ON WORKING FAMILIES Instead of attacking unions the Federal Government should admit that its IR laws are hurting working families the ACTU said today. (Find out more) Council workers face loss of penalty rates, overtime pay: If you thought you were safe from IR laws - think again says ACTU Thousands of Council workers are facing the loss of weekend penalty rates, overtime pay and public holidays as their employers launch a concerted bid to bring Council employees under the Howard Government's new IR laws it has been revealed today. (Find out more) Petrol spike: Even the Easter Bunny would struggle to deliver The recent disparity between local and international fuel prices has prompted concerns from transport workers that a petrol price spike during Easter could cripple small businesses delivering goods over the long weekend. (Find out more) Workers' rights to Easter Public Holidays are being slowly but surely eroded under IR laws No extra pay for working the Easter weekend is becoming the norm for workers in the retail sector as more employers use the Coalition Govt's new IR laws to abolish public holiday penalty rates say unions. (Find out more) ACTU calls for $28 a week pay rise for over one million award workers The ACTU has called for a pay rise of $28 a week for more than a million award workers to reverse the slide in living standards that Australia?fs working families are experiencing under the new IR laws. (Find out more) Work Choices: One year on. Rudd and Gillard meet with TWU members to discuss the new workplace laws (Find out more) IR LAWS MINISTER JOE HOCKEY MUST COME CLEAN ON TRISTAR INDIVIDUAL CONTRACT SACKING CLAIMS The Howard Government's new IR laws Minister Joe Hockey must come clean on accusations that he told troubled car parts company Tristar to sack its workforce and re-employ them on AWA individual contracts says the ACTU. (Find out more) NEW IR LAWS ONE YEAR OLD TODAY - POLL SHOWS
VOTERS REJECT AWAS AND WANT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING With the Federal Government's new IR laws one year old today (Tues. 27 March), the ACTU will this morning release new national polling conducted on the weekend. (Find out more) ONE YEAR OF WORKCHOICES SHOWS FEDERAL GOVT'S NEW IR LAWS ARE HURTING WORKING FAMILIES With the Federal Government's new industrial relations laws proving a strong negative for the Liberal Party in the weekend's NSW State election the ACTU has issued a report showing that after a year of WorkChoices the new IR laws are hurting Australian working families. (Find out more) Barry Hemsworth: Victim of Howard's New IR Laws For 10 years Barry Hemsworth had been a union delegate at Botany Cranes and Forklift Services Pty Ltd in Sydney. But he has become a victim of the Howard Government's WorkChoices laws. (Find out more) COMCARE SCHEME WILL UNDERMINE SAFETY The Federal Secretary of the Transport Workers?f Union Tony Sheldon said today the Federal Government?fs new Comcare scheme would undermine important safety initiatives achieved in the cash-in-transit and trucking industries in NSW, SA and WA. (Find out more) IR laws and temporary migrant worker scheme are holding down wages: ACTU
submission The ACTU has appeared before a Parliamentary Inquiry into Migration (14 March) and called for an overhaul of the 457 temporary visa program on the basis that it is being used to reduce wages and job opportunities for Australian workers and that migrant workers are being exploited. (Find out more) Cuts, Cuts, Cuts The ACTU's new television commercial went to air on March 4 2007 - Working
Families Losing Conditions "Cuts Cuts Cuts" (Find out more) $34MILL IN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
MONEY WASTED
It has been revealed that $34 million in taxpayer funds is being wasted through inappropriate use of funding for training opportunities in the transport industry. (Find out more) FILM LAUNCH TO HIGHLIGHT TRUCKING FATIGUE
The NSW Minister for Western Sydney Diane Beamer and NSW Secretary of the Transport Workers?f Union, Tony Sheldon today launched a short film on fatigue in the long distance truck driving industry. (Find out more) QANTAS FAMILIES DESERVE MORE
Airline Partners Australia?fs decision today to execute a deed with the Federal Government is a step in the right direction. Now the consortium needs to execute a deed with the 37 000 Qantas employees who have built this airline into the lean and efficient business it is today. (Find out more) Bus Drivers Lose Out Under Debnam Local bus drivers and the TWU have been meeting with local members of parliament across Sydney asking for assurances that rates of pay will be protected under a Iemma Labor Government. (Find out more) HOWARD?fS UNFAIR IR LAWS HURT TRUCKIES AND THEIR FAMILIES The Transport Workers?f Union has made a submission to the Inquiry into Workforce challenges in the Australian transport sector highlighting concerns that pressures have increased in the transport industry following the introduction of WorkChoices contributing to the looming shortage in drivers. (Find out more) ACTION Drivers Put Community First:
Commuter Survey Launched
?gACTION bus drivers across the ACT will be reaching out to commuters asking ACTION bus passengers to have their say on the new ACTION network and how they think services could be improved,?h TWU Canberra Secretary Scott Connolly said today. (Find out more) NEW POLL SHOWS VOTERS WANT FEDERAL GOVT TO STAND UP FOR AUSTRALIAN JOBS AND
OPPOSE QANTAS SALE: ACTU CALLS FOR PARLIMENTARY INQUIRY
80% of marginal seat voters say Federal Government isn't doing enough to
stop Australian businesses being sold overseas and jobs lost offshore (Find out more) QANTAS FAMILIES TELL APA:
?gPROTECT OUR JOBS?h
The Transport Workers?f Union has today repeated its?f call for Airline Partners Australia to legally guarantee that no Qantas employee will lose their job or entitlements as a consequence of the proposed takeover. (Find out more) TWU TELLS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CLEAN UP ITS ACT ON AIRPORT SECURITY
The Transport Workers?f Union (TWU) is today calling on the Federal Government and the Minister for Transport to urgently investigate security at Sydney airport after reports indicate that a man who breached a security screening last night has still not been found. (Find out more) Pensioner's Forum For NSW Venues
The TWU encourages NSW members and those recently retired, to attend pensioner's forums being held in Penrith and on the NSW Central Coast. The Forums look at Industrial Relations changes and how they affect your pension. (Find out more) TWU BACKS WORKFORCE PLEAS TO STAMP OUT PETROL GOUGING
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has today urged the Federal Government to allow the ACCC to be given more powers to take action over price gouging. (Read the full story) TWU CONDEMNS INDUSTRY MOVES TO BRING IN FOREIGN TRUCK DRIVERS
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has today labelled moves from some members of the road transport industry urging the Federal Government to change immigration rules so that overseas truck drivers are allowed to work in Australia as a disaster strategy that would jeopardise safety in the industry. (Read the full story) TWU CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO PROECT QANTAS JOBS OR REJECT DEAL
The Transport Workers?f Union (TWU) has today called on the Federal Government to guarantee that it will not approve the sale of Qantas unless Airline Partners Australia (APA) gives an enforceable undertaking to protect the jobs, working conditions and entitlements of all existing workers affected by the take-over. (Read the full story) GOOD NEWS - MANSOUR OSANLOO FREED
Following a very large international campaign that brought together the International Trade Union Confederation, the International Transport Workers Federation, Amnesty International, the European Union, and thousands of individual trade unionists who participated in the online campaign on LabourStart, jailed Iranian trade union leader Mansour Osanloo is now free after a month in jail. (Read the full story) QANTAS WORKERS TELLS TEXAS PACIFIC: ?gPROTECT OUR JOBS?h
Following from this morning?fs Qantas announcement, the Transport Workers?f Union is calling on the Texas Pacific led Qantas takeover consortium to guarantee the jobs, rates of pay, working conditions and entitlements of all existing Qantas workers. (Read the full story) Pay rate uncertainty hits over one million workers under new IR laws
More than a million workers on award wages cannot be sure of their rate of pay with the Federal Government acknowledging that the pay scales it publishes are not reliable. (Read the full story) TWU FIRST UNION TO WIN AGAINST IR LAWS.
Congratulations to all owner-driver members. (Read about the campaign) Top Iranian union leader jailed by regime Last winter the Iranian capital city of Tehran was practically shut
down by striking bus drivers. The reaction of the regime was swift and
brutal. (Read the full story) DEFENCE CONTRACTS COULD END UP IN FOREIGN HANDS IF QANTAS TAKE-OVER BID GETS APPROVED The Transport Workers?f Union (TWU) has today revealed defence contracts may fall into foreign hands if the Qantas take-over bid succeeds. (Read the full story) Unions vow to continue campaign against Fed Govt IR laws following
successful national protest Unions have vowed to continue the campaign against the Howard Government's IR laws following successful national protests at more than three hundred venues across Australia and the involvement of an estimated 279,500 people around Australia (this updated total includes Tas and WA). (Read the full story) NSW Government secures final funding agreement for asbestos victims. After six years of campaigning and two and a half years of intensive
negotiations with James Hardie, unions and asbestos victims groups secured a
final deal from the company to compensate Australian victims of its asbestos
products on the 21st of November. (Read the full story) Government's Own AIRC Submission Confirms Australian Workers' Job Security
Has Been Shredded Kevin Andrews has confirmed that the Howard Government's extreme industrial
relations laws leave Australian employees without effective protection from
unfair dismissal. (Read the full story) IR Laws Hit Workers' Wages: New Stats Show Pay Drops Below Cost Of Living New ABS data released this week (16 Nov) shows the IR changes are starting
to bite into workers' take home pay with average weekly earnings falling
further behind the cost of living for full time workers. (Read the full story) TWU CONCERNED ABOUT QANTAS
TAKE OVER BID TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon today commented on the proposed take-over offer of Qantas by Texas Pacific and Macquarie Bank. (Read the full story) Westbus drivers demand an end to
bully-boy tactics Over forty Westbus drivers recently walked off the job in a bid to stop the continued harassment and abuse of staff by some members of management. (Read the full story) International Integrators Action Day On November 9, TWU Members joined UPS, FedEx, TNT and DHL workers across the globe to take part in an international day of action. (Read the full story) IRC Rules Companies Are Accountables Truck driver representatives across NSW are celebrating today after the full bench of the NSW Independent Industrial Relations Commission ruled that transport companies must be held accountable for the way goods are moved on our roads. (Read the full story) ACTU Vows to Intensify Campaign as Millions Lose Their Workplace Rights Unions have vowed to intensify their campaign against the Howard Government's industrial relations laws following the decision by the High Court that has accepted the Federal Government's argument that the new IR laws are legal. (Read the full story) Even More Power To Employers At Expense Of Workers Under IR Changes The changes announced today (Monday) by the Howard Government will make the IR laws even more unfair and unbalanced says the ACTU. (Read the full story) Major Health Survey for Transport
Workers launched In June of this year, the Transport Workers?f Union took part in launching a major survey that aims to improve employee health in the transport industry. (Read the full story) TIP DRIVERS IN NEWCASTLE AND THE CENTRAL COAST LAUNCH INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO PROTECT WORKPLACE AGREEMENTS Tip truck drivers employed by Hanson Construction in Newcastle and the Central Coast have today engaged in industrial action against the company?fs refusal to allow an independent party to adequately settle disputes thereby jeopardising current workplace agreements. (Read the full story) Ambos Pass Vote of No Confidence and
Demand More Support “Ambulance officers and paramedics across the ACT are sick and tired of having their urgent staffing and resources needs ignored by management and the bureaucracy in the Emergency Services Authority who continue to rely on their goodwill and willingness to go beyond the call of duty to get the job done in the interest of the ACT community,” TWU Secretary Scott Connolly said today. (Read the full story) "Are your kids at risk?: Kids Under 15 Years Old Are Signing Individual Contracts Under IR Laws" Children as young as 14 years old are signing AWA individual contracts under the Coalition Government's IR laws. (Read the full story) New survey finds 'battlers' are turning against Howard Govt on IR More than 500 delegates representing Australia's two million union members
will gather today and tomorrow to plan the next stage of the union campaign
for workers' rights and to decide on a policy for a fairer industrial
relations system that could replace the Howard Government's IR laws. (Read the full story) TWU CONDEMNS ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVES TO BRING IN FOREIGN TRUCK DRIVERS The Transport Workers’ Union has today condemned any moves by the Federal Government to negotiate labour agreements that would include the importation of foreign truck drivers and force rates to deadly unsafe levels. (Read the full story) LOCAL TRUCK DRIVERS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO HALT PLANS TO BRING IN DRIVERS FROM OVERSEAS Truck drivers from around NSW today hit the phones of Coalition Federal Senators and Coalition State MPs in a bid to halt plans to import cheap foreign labour to do their job. (Read the full story) Foreign guest workers:
Cutting wages ?| undermining business NSW Minister for Industrial Relations, John Della Bosca, said the Commonwealth?fs foreign guest worker program posed a threat to the jobs and pay rates of Australian workers. (Read the full story) Commonwealth refuses to act on 457 visas When presented with evidence of 457 visas being used to lower wages for Australians, the Commonwealth Minister for Workplace Relations today pledged only to ?emonitor?f the issue. (Read the full story) Urgent meeting for all owner-drivers
and their families Recent media reports suggest the Government may seriously be considering breaching its commitment to owner-drivers. (Read the full story) TONY SHELDON RE-ELECTED
TWU LEADER UNOPPOSED Transport Worker?fs Union Secretary, Tony Sheldon was today re-elected unopposed as National and NSW State Secretary after months of standing up for worker?fs rights against the Howard Government?fs new WorkChoices legislation. (Read the full story) Important Announcement
SUPER NEWS!!! TWUSUPER is your ?eprofit for members?f industry super fund serving people in the transport and logistics industry. All net profits are used solely for the benefit of members. (Read the full story) CLIENT PRESSURE PUSHING DRUG USE IN THE LONG-HAUL TRANSPORT INDUSTRY The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has today responded to media reports on a university finding that truck drivers are among the biggest users of amphetamines in the workforce, saying that drug use in the long-haul industry is a symptom of client pressure. (Read the full story) Pay Freeze Enters 16th Month for Low Paid Workers as Prices Continue to Go Up The ACTU has called on the Federal Government to hurry up and deliver a pay rise for low paid workers struggling to cope with the rising cost of living as a wage freeze caused by the Government's IR laws enters its sixteenth month. (Read the full story) Federal Government Backdown Over New IR Laws Does Not Go Far Enough: ACTU A report today that the Federal Govt is changing its IR regulations less than six months after they were introduced show that the new laws are too extreme, already leading to many workers being sacked unfairly and suffering cuts to their job conditions and take home pay says the ACTU. (Read the full story) RANDOM DRUG TESTS MUST TARGET TRANSPORT CLIENTS NOT JUST TRUCK DRIVERS The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has today said any moves that would see NSW police target illegal drug use on our roads must also involve measures that would hold transport clients responsible if long haul-truck drivers test positive. (Read the full story) Independent Contractors Bill Passed The Independent Contractors Bill passed the House of Reps at 9:56 am Wednesday 13 September.
The following are comments made during the most recent debate on the bill and comments sent from members to the TWU. (Read some of the comments and emails) TWU Announces Plan To Stamp Out Driver Fatigue in Heavy Vehicle Transport The Transport Workers?f Union NSW has today announced a strong plan to stamp out fatigue in the transport industry. Responding to the Model Legislation Heavy Vehicle Driver Fatigue Regulations (2006), drafted by the National Transport Commission (NTC), the TWU has lodged a submission calling for clients to be held to account for the unsafe deadlines they set, the unsafe rates of pay they offer and the race to the bottom on pay and conditions they are responsible for. (Read the full story) Members Equity Bank - Rising interest rates and aggressive lending to blame for mortgage repossession Members Equity Bank is concerned that aggressive lending practices are placing working Australians at risk of financial hardship. (Read the full story) New Laws to Protect Young NSW Workers from WorkChoices On 30 August 2006 Premier Morris lemma announced new legislation to protect the working conditions of young people from Work Choices. (Read the full story) An opportunity to help shape the provision of health services that are important to you New South Wales drivers have been given the opportunity to participate in a unique health research project. (Read the full story) Cabinet boosts workers' entitlements Workers who lose their job when a company goes under will receive an extra eight weeks of basic entitlements from today, Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews has announced. (Read the full story) Waste workers return to work Waste workers from SITA in Hume will today return to work following a decision by SITA management to re-open negotiations this morning regarding their rate of pay. (Read the full story) NO WASTE TO BE COLLECTED TODAY: GARBOS Since 2 am this morning waste workers from SITA in Hume have been peacefully protesting to demand their multinational company pay them a fair wage in their new contract. (Read the full story) Tooheys drivers could lose deal under new IR legislation If the Independent Contractors Bill is passed without provisions for owner drivers the Tooheys brewery drivers could lose their contract, National Leader of the Transport Workers Union Tony Sheldon said today. (Read the full story) Bus drivers achieve better security Following another spate of violent attacks on bus drivers yesterday, tougher security measures have been announced by the Transport Workers Union and the Minister for Transport. (Read the full story) Bus drivers vote for ?eno-go?f zones Public buses in Western Sydney will no longer travel along dangerous streets in a move designed to protect the safety of bus drivers and their passengers following a spate of unprecedented violent attacks. (Read the full story) Transport workers fight for road safety at
Senate Inquiry Owner drivers giving evidence today at the Federal Government Senate Inquiry into the Independent Contractors Bill gave accounts of fearing for their lives after being pressured by clients to drive for hours without a break. (Read the full story) Federal Government must reduce fuel prices Transport workers and Australian working families are living the nightmare Prime Minister John Howard describes as the ?egreatest worry of his political life?f. (Read the full story) Transport Workers Put Concerns and Thousands of ACTION Postcards to Chief Minister A delegation of ACT transport workers will deliver the concerns of almost 3000 TWU members and their families over the ACT Government budget proposals to Chief Minister Jon Stanhope in a meeting this morning. (Read the full story) Central Coast waste workers meet NSW Minister for Local Government Kerry Hickey, the NSW Minister for Local Government, visited Central Coast waste workers in Wyong yesterday. He expressed his support for TWU members’ campaign to protect their jobs, working conditions and rates of pay. He also expressed his outrage that Gosford and Wyong Councils would take advantage of the industrial relations changes. (Read the full story) Grandparents launch campaign to fight
for
their grandchildren Concerned grandparents from the Transport Workers Union and Maritime Union of Australia have today marched through Sydney City to protest against the impact the new industrial relations laws are having on their grandchildren. (Read the full story)
This year, working people face an important choice: how should we vote to protect our rights at work and those of our children? The Howard Government's radical industrial relations reforms unfairly curtail our rights at work, cut the amount of time Australians can spend with family, and erode job security.
PROTECTING AUSSIE JOBS 
