DRIVE FOR SAFE RATES REACHES CANBERRA

The Transport Workers Union has rolled into Canberra after a 2000 kilometre trip through regional NSW from Brisbane, highlighting the importance of a National system of safe rates for truck drivers.

The truck has been visiting politicians and council representatives from Lismore, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Tamworth, Dubbo, Griffith, Leeton, Narrandera and Wagga to highlight the issues of pay and conditions, and their effect on safety in the road industry.

In Canberra, TWU members consisting of owner drivers and employee drivers, will be meeting with more than 40 politicians to outline problems in the industry, and seek support for the Federal Government’s announcement to work with the TWU and responsible employers to find an industry-wide solution.

“We have drivers who wait to unload and load for an average of up to 27 hours a week – and that is unpaid,” TWU national secretary Tony Sheldon said.

“Drivers are tired before they even get on the road and are forced into pushing themselves just to make ends meet. With 281 people being killed in our industry each year – it is time for this to stop,” Mr Sheldon said.

Media Contact: Seth Tenkate 0408 463 199.