We did it! Paid waiting time at ports a stunning victory for member activism

TWU members, in co-operation with their colleagues in the MUA and RTBU, won a spectacular victory last Friday, when the government announced the implementation of the Port Botany Landside Improvement Strategy (PBLIS).

TWU Organiser Helen Bellette has co-ordinated TWU members at Port Botany as part of the Transport Unions Federation (TUF) campaign. ‘The rank-and-file ownership of the success in winning paid waiting time is the best part of this story,’ says Helen.

Under PBLIS, drivers will have waiting time paid for the first time. Stevedores will have to pay the driver $25 for every 15-minute delay, $100 for a cancelled slot — if cancelled within two hours of the slot — or $50 for a cancelled slot outside two hours.

"This is a historic win for drivers," Secretary Wayne Forno said. "It's just the first step on a long road, but I know we will obtain the ultimate goal with the strength of our organising and the power we can demonstrate to the community and to government."
 
The new system has been the product of long hours and effective activism from members. TWU has played an important role in the TUF Waterfront Committee on top of the work it already does, and this early win is a great sign of what can be done through hard slog on the ground and strategic co-operation between unions.
 
Our congratulations and thanks to the members who made this possible. Together, we’re going to make Safe Rates a reality.