Life as an owner-driver, while not always easy, certainly does have some benefits. For one, in theory, we’re our own boss, although, as we know, realistically we’re ultimately still at the mercy of whoever is at the top of the supply chain, just like regular employees of any transport company.
Owner-drivers, fleet operators and even the bigger transport operators face this issue with the top of the supply chain.
Some people use the term owner-driver for fleet owners, rather than single-truck owner operators, while others only use the term to refer to the latter. A fleet owner might drive their own truck, while owning trucks that their employees run, but in my view that does not realistically qualify as the same thing as a single truck owner.
The working situation of a fleet owner could be very different, for instance for the most part, they would tend to own a yard, whereas an owner-driver could be looking at yard space to rent, or simply park on the side of the road. Some fleet owners, to save costs, also use truck stops as their yard. A fleet owner could also purchase gear in bulk, for instance, tyres, oil, coolant, mudflaps and restraining equipment, while a traditional owner driver might not be in a financial position to do so. They could also get a deal on insurance by buying in bulk. The savings from bulk goods and services would then add to their savings.
Fleet owners need to remain economically viable enough to pay their drivers a fair and sustainable wage, as well as all their entitlements like superannuation. In addition, traditional owner-drivers need to make sure that they are covering their own costs and entitlements.
There’s a lot of diversity in our industry which is part of what makes it great, and the new laws will be able to balance that because consultation with all parties is so deeply a part of the system.
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People in our sector are always talking about training up young drivers, particularly in cases where driver shortages occur. At the moment, it’s not an industry young people want to go into, and I don’t blame them. But there are so many things to love about road transport and having the proper systems in place will mean all participants can thrive. That’s why there’s so much potential with these new laws – it’s not about quick fixes, it’s about making it fair for everyone and really reshaping this industry.
If fleet owners or owner-drivers, and even big transport companies, had sustainable business models, this could allow them to train up young drivers. By being able to run a transport business successfully enough to allow for young workers to gain hands-on experience, it creates more sustainability over the long term. This not only applies to the specific operation, but by extension the industry at large.
The new road transport legislation allows for applications to be made to the Fair Work Commission to essentially make the transport industry fairer for drivers, including owner-drivers.
The TWU has made the first applications with these new laws on things that need to be fixed up straight away, like having maximum 30-day payment terms. We’ve all experienced having to chase up pay for months on end, and this is one thing that makes sense to put in place immediately.
I’ve spent countless times in Canberra lobbying for a system like this and talked to people all across the industry who have said the same thing: it’s time for the top of the supply chain to pay its fair share. It’s the first time those clients, who are constantly demanding faster and cheaper transport (even though the costs of drivers and transport operators are just going up), will be held to account.
Over time this legislation will gradually keep making improvements to the industry so a new generation of drivers can come through and carry out the essential freight work needed to keep our economy moving.
I’m excited for what that means for the new generation which will be coming into a better industry.
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