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.
National Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union Tony Sheldon said “the Federal Government has abandoned the hard working Owner-drivers of McArthur Express.
“Over 300 of the 700 strong workforce of McArthur Express are subcontractors. This means that almost half of the workforce which made up McArthur Express will be left to fend for themselves.
“It is up to Joe Hockey to stand up for these Australian families and small businesses by guaranteeing that employees, Owner-drivers and small businesses will be paid 100% of their entitlements and wages owing.
“We ask that Joe Hockey make the General Employees Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) available to the families of both employees and Owner-drivers to ensure that their full entitlements are paid.
“Further the Transport Workers’ Union calls on the Federal Government to change the current legislation so that in the future both employees and Owner-drivers are provided for under the GEERS scheme,” said Tony Sheldon.
Steve Gauci, an Owner-driver for Bon McArthur, who purchased his vehicle from the company for $77,000 only last month said, “I am owed $15,000 in wages, and as of last month I now have a $90,000 debt. I don’t understand how Joe Hockey can step in for some blokes and not others. It doesn’t matter if you are an employee or Owner-driver; we all have bills to pay and families to feed.”
Senior Official Mark Crosdale is available for comment.
Media Contact:
Kristen Wall 0414 943 551
For Immediate Release 2nd October 2007
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PROTECTING AUSSIE JOBS 
