TWU WELCOMES COMMITMENT INTO SAFE RATES FOR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY

The Transport Workers Union has welcomed the annoucement that the National Transport Commission (NTC) will investigate and report on options for implementing a national system of safe rates for employees and owner-drivers.

TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon: "This commitment is a real opportunity and a step in the right direction for transport workers to get a national system of safe rates for employees and owner drivers right across the country.

"Drivers are crying out for a national system that gives drivers the ability to obtain a safe rate of pay and seek full cost recovery from the powerful transport clients like the major retailers to get relief from rising costs of living, rising costs of maintaining a safe truck and fuel spikes."

"It is the big powerful transport clients like the major retailers Coles and Woolworths who continually tell the public that they are raising prices in their stores because of increased transport costs. It is high time that there is a national system in place to ensure that these retailers are held accountable in bringing relief to drivers around Australia."

The transport industry is a tough and hyper-competitive sector that can be extremely dangerous. Last year the transport industry recorded a 5.4% increase in fatalities from heavy vehicle incidents, while wages across the industry were driven down by the non-unionised sector by 5.6%.

The inquiry will be assisted by Professor Michael Quinlan of UNSW and The Hon. Lance Wright QC, the former President of the NSW Industrial Relations Commission.

"Both Professor Michael Quinlan and the Hon. Lance Wright QC bring a wealth of knowledge about both the transport industry and the industrial relations system",Mr Sheldon said.

"It is critically important for the safety of all transport workers and the motoring public who share the roads that we see a national system implemented from this investigation."