The Australian Trucking Association (ATA) has slammed the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) in a heated response to an opinion column published in this month’s Owner//Driver penned by Union leader Michael Kaine
“The Australian Trucking Association is disappointed, but not surprised, by recent comments from the Transport Workers’ Union claiming the ATA is unwilling to work together in improving industry safety and viability,” the ATA says in a statement, following the TWU’s column.
Kaine pointed out in the column that the ATA has not backed calls for Safe Rates, criticising the Association.
This comes after Kaine presented to the ATA General Council in November 2018 about the TWU’s approach to road safety.
ATA CEO Ben Maguire says he was “disappointed, but not surprised, by the TWU’s approach,” when discussing the column.
“At our council meeting, Michael Kaine admitted that he was deliberately ‘stirring the pot’ – his words – because there was no other way of achieving the results he wants. He said he would keep doing it,” Maguire says.
“It’s time for the TWU to stop the silly games and make a genuine attempt to work together as we are so willing to do.
“There are many examples in the past six months where the ATA and TWU have worked together. We met with them twice in October and had the goodwill to invite them to speak at our November council meeting.
“Prior to Christmas, I also attended the ALP National Conference and was eagerly invited by Senator Glenn Sterle to join the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal working group,” he says.
Following the November council meeting, the ATA claims to have written to Kaine, expressing interest in continuing discussions and working together to advance industry safety.
“He hasn’t bothered responding, because the TWU clearly doesn’t care about good process or the details of policy development,” Maguire says.
“It’s time for cool heads to prevail as we get serious about safety, our industry and its economic impact on our nation. Name calling and gamesmanship at these junctures are unhelpful to the greater cause.
“The ATA is committed to improving safety and professionalism in the trucking industry and has achieved many important results over the years.”