Hundreds of workers employed and engaged by transport operator the 1st Fleet Group (1st Fleet) woke up Thursday (May 3) morning to the news that they had lost their jobs after Administrators de Vries Tayeh announced that 1st Fleet ceased trading at 11:55pm Wednesday night.
Hundreds of 1st Fleet workers lose their jobs
The Directors did not meet the commitments they made to the administrators to keep the company running, and subsequently around eight weeks of pay is still owed to owner drivers with families and substantial mortgages.
Since the announcement that 1st Fleet had been placed into Administration late last week, both the TWU and the Administrators had been confident of being able to keep the business open and were jointly working towards this outcome.
“This is a regrettable situation as TWU Officials and members had been working all week with the Administrators to try and keep the business running. It seems that the Director’s unwillingness to meet their commitments resulted in the business closing,” NSW State Secretary Wayne Forno said.
“Further, at the time that the business went into Administration the owner drivers engaged by 1st Fleet were owed around eight weeks pay. The owner drivers had continued to work for 1st Fleet as they were assured that they would be paid, and if the Director’s were aware that the business was in trouble, and possibly insolvent, whilst continuing to trade during this time then this needs to be investigated as a possible breach of their duties,” Wayne Forno said.
“TWU Officials will work with our members to ensure that all their entitlements are recognised. The TWU will also help members try to find alternative work and provide assistance during this difficult time,” Wayne Forno said.
Since the announcement that 1st Fleet had been placed into Administration late last week, both the TWU and the Administrators had been confident of being able to keep the business open and were jointly working towards this outcome.
“This is a regrettable situation as TWU Officials and members had been working all week with the Administrators to try and keep the business running. It seems that the Director’s unwillingness to meet their commitments resulted in the business closing,” NSW State Secretary Wayne Forno said.
“Further, at the time that the business went into Administration the owner drivers engaged by 1st Fleet were owed around eight weeks pay. The owner drivers had continued to work for 1st Fleet as they were assured that they would be paid, and if the Director’s were aware that the business was in trouble, and possibly insolvent, whilst continuing to trade during this time then this needs to be investigated as a possible breach of their duties,” Wayne Forno said.
“TWU Officials will work with our members to ensure that all their entitlements are recognised. The TWU will also help members try to find alternative work and provide assistance during this difficult time,” Wayne Forno said.
Assistant Secretary Michael Aird talks to members about entitlements
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Assistant Secretary Michael Aird addresses the media
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