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Revised Toll agreement in the offing, TWU claims

Job security protections and 15% super to quell industrial action against firm

An in-principle agreement between Toll Group and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) will see job security protections and an industry-first 15% superannuation offer put to national union delegates on Friday, the union reports.

If endorsed, Toll workers will not take part in national strikes flagged for next week that also has Linfox (and BevChain), FedEx and StarTrack in the union’s crosshairs.  

The Toll offer reportedly includes enhanced job security protections including the same pay for outside hire as employees, limits on outsourcing, commitment to give employees first preference over all available work, and improvements to consultation and auditing rights to further protect employees from their work being contracted out. 

The proposed agreement is a significant development following six months of negotiations and national strikes, “with workers successfully fighting off attacks on existing conditions and pressuring Toll to abandon plans to bring in a b-grade workforce on 30% less pay and fixed-term contracts”, the union claimed. 

“This is a major victory for Toll workers and sets an important precedent for transport operators still denying reasonable job security protections for employees,” TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said.

“This triumph is all the sweeter given the hard slog Toll workers have endured over the last couple of years battling mismanagement, cyber-attacks, a split of the company with half sold off during negotiations, and proposals to bring in an underclass of workers to undercut employees in their own yards.” 

At negotiation meetings with Linfox, StarTrack and FedEx, similar settlements with job security provisions which provide guarantees for workers while allowing flexibility for companies will be presented, according to TWU.

“We implore StarTrack, FedEx, Linfox and BevChain to follow Toll’s lead and commit to the reasonable protections workers are seeking,” Kaine said.

“As Christmas draws nearer and negotiations reach their sixth month, it’s time to end the attack on jobs and prevent the need for further industrial action.”


TWU’s job security offer to firms, here


TWU NSW/Qld secretary and lead Toll negotiator Richard Olsen lauded the headway being made. 

“It has been a long and difficult journey, but the finish line is in sight with Toll taking the lead.

“It is a testament to the strength and unity of TWU members that job security provisions were retrieved from Toll’s shredder and reinforced with extra protections.

“The future is looking far brighter at Toll and in later life, with an industry-first offer of 15% superannuation leading the way to dignity in retirement for frontline transport workers.

“The negotiating committee is pleased to have a decent offer to present to the membership who will, as always, have the final say.”

The TWU noted its presence at a Senate inquiry into job security today with the union and a StarTrack worker giving evidence this morning, followed by StarTrack, Toll and FedEx this afternoon.

 

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