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.
TWU Secretary Tony Sheldon: “The transport industry continues to face many challenges
heading into the future and the TWU remains committed to fight for what is safe and fair for
all employees and owner drivers.
The TWU is seeking a system of safe fair rates introduced for all employees and owner
drivers to ensure that everyone within the industry is competing on a level playing field.
Safe fair rates will ensure we begin to move towards improving the appalling levels of safety
within our industry. In the financial year 2006/2007, 228 fatalities were recorded as a result
of heavy vehicle incidents, whilst NSW recorded over 1000 injuries.
All TWU members are also committed to fight to extend the current Chain of Responsibility
legislation that exists in NSW onto a national scale so that the major transport clients and
operators are held accountable for the daily pressures that they place on drivers.
Owner drivers are also seeking national regulation to provide them the protections that they
deserve, including minimum rates of pay and conditions.
The TWU has recently secured new agreements for owner drivers and employees within
several major transport operators such as Toll, Linfox and TNT. The new agreements have
secured greater rights for delegates to be trained to improve safety, dispute procedures that
leave the independent umpire with the final decision, and an increase in wages. “
I would like to congratulate the 1200 TWU delegates across the State, as well as all of our
Officials and activists who have worked extremely hard in achieving these results”, Mr
Sheldon said.
“With continued hard work we can secure better wages and conditions, as well as improve
safety, for both TWU members and non-members right across the transport industry.”
Media Inquiries Josh McIntosh 0408 463 199.
15 April 2008
| 
PROTECTING AUSSIE JOBS 
