ILLAWARRA, SOUTH COAST COMMUNITY GETS BEHIND 20 JUNE TRUCK CONVOY TO CANBERRA TO STOP ROAD DEATHS
Illawarra truck drivers are leading the local community in rallying
behind the TWU Convoy to Canberra for Safe Rates on 20 June, following
reports that 431 people died in truck crashes in 18 months.
56 Illawarra and 13 South Coast truck drivers will join the convoy to Canberra and have spoken out in support of Safe Rates, urging the Illawarra and South Coast community to get behind the cause.
“431 people died on Australian roads in 18 months in truck crashes,” said TWU State Secretary Wayne Forno.
“This is a national tragedy. If this was the mining industry there would be a royal commission into these deaths. These are hard working people with families – and no one should have to die to make a living.
“Deaths in the transport industry make up 25% of all workplace deaths.
“We call for change now – for Safe Rates of pay in road transport to be legislated federally and enforced throughout the supply chain: from the head of the chain of responsibility – eg large corporate Client – to the end of the supply chain where multiple levels of contracting out at lowest cost with no safe rate lead to truck drivers being pushed to their limits, ‘dying to earn a living’ and unsafe roads for everybody.
“Safe rates must be legislated urgently – for the sake of the whole community. This will make the road safer for everybody.”
East Corrimal Owner-driver Gary Blackmore tells it like it is:
“We need to have rates of pay to make our businesses viable so people aren’t cutting corners and stretching their driving times because they’re not getting paid enough. Drivers shouldn’t have to cut corners on important things like maintenance just to earn enough to support their family. This is important for our whole community because everybody wants safer roads.”
The Federal Government via Industrial Relations Minister Julia Gillard are in support of Safe Rates -however the time has come to make sure urgent action is taken now for the sake of the whole community to bring this legislation in. “We urge Federal Parliament to support Safe Rates now for the sake of all Australians who use our roads,” Mr Forno said.
The TWU is leading a truck Convoy to Canberra on Sunday 20 June to call on the Federal Parliament to urgently implement Safe Rates now.
The Convoy is a family friendly community event and everybody is invited to Canberra to show their support. There will be activities for the kids, and a BBQ at the rally.
For more information on Safe Rates and Convoy to Canberra visit www.nswtwu.org.
“431 people died on Australian roads in 18 months in truck crashes,” said TWU State Secretary Wayne Forno.
“This is a national tragedy. If this was the mining industry there would be a royal commission into these deaths. These are hard working people with families – and no one should have to die to make a living.
“Deaths in the transport industry make up 25% of all workplace deaths.
“We call for change now – for Safe Rates of pay in road transport to be legislated federally and enforced throughout the supply chain: from the head of the chain of responsibility – eg large corporate Client – to the end of the supply chain where multiple levels of contracting out at lowest cost with no safe rate lead to truck drivers being pushed to their limits, ‘dying to earn a living’ and unsafe roads for everybody.
“Safe rates must be legislated urgently – for the sake of the whole community. This will make the road safer for everybody.”
East Corrimal Owner-driver Gary Blackmore tells it like it is:
“We need to have rates of pay to make our businesses viable so people aren’t cutting corners and stretching their driving times because they’re not getting paid enough. Drivers shouldn’t have to cut corners on important things like maintenance just to earn enough to support their family. This is important for our whole community because everybody wants safer roads.”
The Federal Government via Industrial Relations Minister Julia Gillard are in support of Safe Rates -however the time has come to make sure urgent action is taken now for the sake of the whole community to bring this legislation in. “We urge Federal Parliament to support Safe Rates now for the sake of all Australians who use our roads,” Mr Forno said.
The TWU is leading a truck Convoy to Canberra on Sunday 20 June to call on the Federal Parliament to urgently implement Safe Rates now.
The Convoy is a family friendly community event and everybody is invited to Canberra to show their support. There will be activities for the kids, and a BBQ at the rally.
For more information on Safe Rates and Convoy to Canberra visit www.nswtwu.org.