THE TWU KICK STARTS THEIR ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN IN TOWNSVILLE

The Transport Workers' Union will today start their road safety campaign in Townsville.

The TWU will be driving a semi-trailer from Townsville to Brisbane to raise awareness and gain support from all levels of Government for the need for Safe Rates in the Transport Industry.

As of Sunday 8th November there have been 53 heavy vehicle fatalities on Queensland roads and 281 people were killed in the transport industry in Australia last year. (Data from the QLD Transport Department)

According to The National Transport Commission (NTC) "the road transport sector is amongst the most dangerous industries to work in" and that "the road transport industry is amongst the industry sectors with the worst safety record of industry sectors in Australia and safety outcomes in the industry remain at unacceptable levels, to both drivers and the broader community."

Hughie Williams the Branch Secretary of the Transport Workers' Union in Queensland strongly believes that a federal system of minimum rates of pay for truck drivers would help reduce the Queensland State and the Nation's alarming heavy vehicle road toll.

"If a Federal Safe Rate system were in place truck drivers would be fully compensated for their labour, waiting times and fuel costs and not be forced to drive long hours on our roads just to make ends meet."

The TWU will be handing a report on safety and rates of pay in the transport industry to the Mayor of Townsville Cr Les Tyrell and Member for Townsville Amanda Johnstone and asking them to deliver this document to Canberra to help put an end to the terrible loss of life on Queensland Roads.