On day one of the national jobs summit, transport bodies are pleased to see the government taking up their calls for reform.
The Australian Transport Workers Union (TWU) says transport workers have welcomed Employment Minister Tony Burke’s summit commitment to set enforceable standards in transport through the Fair Work Commission.
At day one of the jobs summit, the minister referred to the unanimous call for reform from a transport roundtable on Monday, involving the TWU, Woolworths, Coles, Uber, DoorDash, Toll, Global Express, Linfox, ACFS, FBT Transwest, Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation, National Road Freighters Association, state and territory industry associations, academic experts and other transport stakeholders.
The TWU says transport is Australia’s deadliest industry, with 54 transport workers killed in the last 12 months alone.
The union reports the industry has been hit hard by the Amazon Effect of cost-cutting from the top of supply chains and unfair competition from gig models like Amazon Flex. Traditional transport operators have been pressured to slash pay and secure work to compete.
It is hoped by the TWU and other transport bodies that enforceable standards for all transport workers will level the playing field to enable a safer, more sustainable and viable industry.
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TWU national secretary Michael Kaine says the announcement is a proud moment for the industry.
“Transport workers across the nation will breathe a collective sigh of relief at this positive step towards achieving life-saving reform,” says Kaine.
“The industry came together and presented a solution to Employment Minister Tony Burke to create a safer, fairer and more sustainable transport industry for all participants, including gig workers currently locked out of the industrial system.
“The Federal Government has taken the transport roundtable consensus and developed it into a proposal to empower the Fair Work Commission to set enforceable standards. If passed into law, this will save businesses, it will save lives, and it will change lives.
“This is a proud moment for TWU members who have campaigned consistently for years to create a system that can support transport businesses and workers to thrive. Just last month, hundreds of employee and owner truck drivers, couriers, rideshare and food delivery workers joined nationwide convoys alongside industry groups and employers in support of reform. It is thanks to their determination and unity that we are on a path towards safer roads and a more prosperous industry for all”.