Pay negotiations and unfair dismissal case spotlighted by Transport Workers Union
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has fixed its sights on currency logistics provider Armaguard, with the union’s Queensland branch recently striking over pay negotiations while the New South Wales branch has taken umbrage at an unfair dismissal case involving one of its members.
Industrial action took place across Queensland last week as the parties hit a standstill on a new remuneration deal, disrupting the Linfox-owned company’s operations over a 48-hour period.
TWU Queensland branch secretary Peter Biagini says the strikes were a result of “Armaguard not offering a pay rise that can keep up with the cost of living”.
“This is an enormously stressful and dangerous job and the workers at Armaguard need certainty that their pay will allow them to provide for their families,” he says.
“Armaguard refused to budge on pay and conditions, all the while having defective trucks that will blow out their wages bill much more by having drivers sitting around waiting for them to get fixed.”
He notes that, since the strikes, Armaguard has made a new offer and delegates have suspended further action while it presents the new offer to its members.
“If the members aren’t happy with the offer, the delegates who represent them in their yards across Queensland will make a decision on further industrial action moving forward,” he adds.
“This is a Queensland EBA, but all over Australia members at Armaguard are reporting the same thing – they need a pay rise that keeps up with the cost of living.
“These members aren’t asking for much – just certainty in their work and the security of a living wage.”
In response, a company spokesperson says Armaguard is “committed to ongoing negotiations to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes can be reached for our team members and customers.
“The Armaguard Group respects the right of the Transport Workers’ Union to organise industrial action, and the rights of individual members to participate in this action.
“Our aim is to secure a sustainable business model for our customers and team members now, and into the future.”
Armaguard also confirmed that the industrial action had caused disruption to some of its scheduled services and customers.
“We have enacted our Business Continuity Plan and are working to minimise any impact to the essential services provided to our customers and the community.
“To maintain the safety of our people and the security of our operations, we are unable to provide any further information at this time.”
Read about the TWU and Armaguard’s recent history stretching to 2014, here
Meanwhile, the NSW branch has taken aim in a communique seen by ATN dubbed ‘Arma Drama’, after a Fair Work Commission (FWC) decision ordered Armaguard to reinstate a senior delegate at its Camellia depot.
The individual, employed by the company for 27 years, was dismissed by a Victorian HR manager due to alleged serious misconduct.
However, the FWC found the “dismissal was incorrectly treated as a matter of misconduct rather than performance”, despite there being “no prior warnings about any unsatisfactory performance”.
“Refusal to comply with an employer’s directions, policies or procedures can, in certain circumstances, provide a valid reason for dismissing an employee,” its ruling states.
“However, in this case, there is no evidence that there was any such refusal.
“If nothing else, this is because of the almost total absence of clear policies or procedures which the applicant can be said to have breached.”
The FWC adds: “The procedure adopted to effect the dismissal of the applicant is very disappointing.”
TWU notes it “wholeheartedly agrees with the independent umpire’s view” while forewarning further action “in the coming weeks”.
Armaguard declined to comment on this case.