Archive, Industry News

RSRT makes progress, as TWU seeks commitment

Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal wraps up discussions with industry on proposed remuneration orders

June 28, 2013

The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) has started drafting orders covering rates and conditions for truck drivers, as the Transport Workers Union (TWU) seeks a commitment from the federal Opposition to support the fledgling body.

The RSRT has wrapped up discussions with industry groups and businesses on proposed road safety remuneration orders and is now moving to draft the first batch. Orders can be made mandating minimum rates and remuneration-related conditions that individual sectors or the supply chain must meet.

Groups such as the TWU, Linfox and the Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation (ARTIO) lodged proposals with the tribunal to introduce new requirements throughout the supply chain, such as paid waiting time and faster payment terms.

TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon says the move to drafting remuneration orders shows the RSRT is making solid progress and that Opposition leader Tony Abbott should guarantee its future.

Abbott says the tribunal will be reviewed if the Opposition wins government .

“The tribunal has got down to business and we are on the cusp of seeing the delivery of important reforms that will save lives right around Australia,” Sheldon says.

“Road safety should be above partisan politics, so it is disappointing that Tony Abbott has cast doubt on the role of the tribunal under a potential Coalition government. We are calling on the Coalition to support the safety of road users in Australia.”

Sheldon says the discussions the RSRT held with industry identified some common ground between various groups, including the market power of large clients in the supply chain.

Among the groups the tribunal held discussions with included representatives from the TWU, Linfox, Toll, ARTIO and the National Retail Association.

“The conclusion of facilitated discussions signals the end of the first stage of the tribunal’s work program. All parties have been in the room and have had the chance to have their say and put forward their arguments,” Sheldon says.

“Along the way and in submissions to the Tribunal, we have found some important common ground on some key issues – particularly between drivers and the big transport companies.”

Bookmark and Share

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend