TRUCK DRIVERS LIVES AT RISK

The Transport Workers' Union of Queensland does not endorse the proposed two week trucking strike to be held from Monday the 28th of July 2008.

The strike led by the Australian Long Distance Owners' and Drivers' Association calls on every truck driver to shut down their engines for two weeks or be reprimanded.

TWU Branch Secretary Hughie Williams said, "There are threats that if drivers continue to work during the strike their safety can not be guaranteed."

Mr Williams said, "Many drivers can't afford to stop for two weeks and they are seriously concerned about their safety."

To date the TWU is lobbying the Federal Government for safe rates of pay and fuel recovery costs from major retailers to help ease the financial pressure on truck drivers.

The TWU believes in the practise of safe protesting and calls on Police Minister Judy Spence to endorse this practise.