The TWUWHEEL PRINT POST APPROVED – 602669 - 00431 www.twuwa.org Summer 2008 Official publication of the Transport Workers Union (WA Branch) ☎ 1800 657 477

Some of the happy troops at Path Transit’s Morley depot

Big pay boost for our bus drivers In 1996 Richard Court’s Liberal many of their government perks and government privatised Perth’s It’s amazing what a working conditions. metropolitan bus service and in the process turned bus driving from a bit of unity will do The TWU – who until then had no good job into a bad one. bus drivers as members – was asked to pick up the pieces and put them Transit or Southern Coast Transit. The drivers either went to work for together again. The now defunct Perth Bus got into private bus companies or they found the act a few years later. other jobs. Restoring an army of Humpty Dumpty’s would have been easier – it The drivers were paid between Those who stuck with the buses has been a long and often frustratng $10.80 and $12.00 per hour and lost signed on at Swan Transit, Path task. FULL STORY INSIDE First cases go before Owner-Driver’s Tribunal

TWU member claims he is owed $34,000 by two hirers TWU STATE SECRETARY JIM McGIVERON Reports

Word is quickly spreading around that owner-drivers can now take complaints against hirers to a special tribunal. During November, the Road Freight Industry Tribunal heard its first cases. One of them involved eight truck operators who contract to Independent Grocers of Australia (IGA). The drivers appointed the TWU as their bargaining agent and two of our officials represented them before the Tribunal. The first part of the process is a conciliation hearing and this was Graeme Smith is conducted by the Deputy President demanding payment in full of the WA Industrial Commission, Ms Jennifer Smith. The owner-drivers were in dispute with IGA over several matters including: Mr Smith is a long-term TWU member and has appointed us to represent him. • IGA’s insistence that they form If there is no a company, for IGA to deal with, In the first case Mr Smith is claiming rather than dealing with them as he is owed $15,000 by Mr James Stewart written contract individuals. who runs Golden Hiabs in Karratha. The work was carried out in August 2008. • IGA’s contention that their contracts payments must be could be terminated with just one Under the owner-drivers laws, if there month’s notice. is no written contract, payments must made within 14 days be made WITHIN 14 DAYS. (30 days if At the hearing, IGA – through their there is a written contract) lawyers – backed away on the one This is for work carried out in month’s notice issue. On the day of the hearing Golden Hiabs rang Mr Stewart and offered to September and October They conceded they would not be pay $7,000 in full settlement. Mr Borich failed to turn up at the first able to terminate the owner drivers Mr Smith rejected this offer and hearing and Tribunal staff were trying to contracts until they ran out – in just over track him down as we went to press. two years time. the hearing went ahead. However no settlement could be reached. The eventual outcomes of these two Overall the hearing was very helpful The matter will now go to a formal cases will be published on our website to our members and they came away at www.twuwa.org and in the next very happy with the proceedings. hearing where a binding decision will be made. edition of The Wheel. Two other cases, which were recently Owner-drivers who would like to taken to the Tribunal by road-train Mr Smith is also chasing $19,000 he says is owed to him by Mr Matt Borich lodge a complaint with the Tribunal can operator Mr Graeme Smith, are also do so through the TWU. very interesting. of Truck and Transport Solutions based in Karratha. Call 1800 657 477 for more information.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page  Big Win for our Bus drivers More than 300 bus-drivers joined the TWU during the campaign and this gave us the strength needed to fight for better wages -says JiM Mcgiveron It’s amazing what a bit of unity will do.

In 1996 Richard Court’s Liberal Even if the index averages 4% over As the boss of one of the bus firms government privatised Perth’s the next two years the top rate at all said, “I never thought you would do it metropolitan bus service and in the three bus firms will rise to more than$25 and I take my hat off to you.” process turned bus driving from a good per hour. Our success has been aided and job into a bad one. When overtime rates, shift loadings, abetted by a lot of people and their The drivers either went to work for etc come into play drivers are likely to be contribution must be noted. private bus companies or they found hundreds of dollars per week better. Thanks to those bus drivers who other jobs. The TWU’s campaign for better pay stuck with us through thick and thin, Those who stuck with the buses for bus drivers has been an undisputable even though – at some depots – you signed on at Swan Transit, Path Transit success. have been part of a minority. or Southern Coast Transit. The now • Thanks to our staunch delegates defunct Perth Bus got into the act who stood strong at the forefront a few years later. • Thanks to the 300 or so The drivers were paid between drivers who joined us this year $10.80 and $12.00 per hour and and lifted us to majority strength lost many of their government in most depots. perks and working conditions. • Thanks to Eric Ripper and The TWU – who until then had Alannah MacTiernan who agreed no bus drivers as members – to the pay deal only to lose the was asked to pick up the pieces election a week later. and put them together again. • Thanks to the bus firms and Restoring an army of Humpty the Public Transport Authority for Dumpty’s would have been backing us up. easier – it has been a long and • And thanks to new transport often arduous task. minister Simon OBrien and the But late this year we took a newly elected Barnett government giant step forward in turning the for honouring the deal done with bad job back into a good job. their predecessors. A recently negotiated pay deal But most importantly, thanks will immediately place Perth’s to all those drivers who were bus drivers amongst the highest prepared to fight for a better deal, paid in Australia. They may even even if it meant walking out the become the best paid. gate. Between now and July 2010 Strike action was always a they will receive seven pay last resort but it was also always rises. an option we were prepared to These will include three extra take. Thankfully we didn’t have increases of one dollar per hour to and not one member lost a PLUS two increases each year single cent in the process. based on the WA Average Wage Lastly, a special thanks from Index. me to Kevin Starr, Paul Aslan Lately that index has been and Mick Knowles who helped averaging just over 6% per year. Andrew Popielnicki votes on the new run the campaign. deal at Path Transit’s Wangarra depot

Page  The Wheel - Summer 2008 The Skywest pilots are well represented by Jan Muenkel, Pablo Casali, Brenley White and Richard Hurd.

Skywest pilots reject trade-off proposals

Pay talks got off to a bad start at Skywest employ about 100 pilots and Skywest Airlines with the company They can go and wash a majority are in the union. By early next demanding trade-offs in return for paltry year, when things start happening, we rate rises. their mouths out with soap hope to reach maximum strength. Trade-offs is bad language as far as says RICK BURTON We will then be in a very strong we are concerned and we almost told position to press for a better deal than the Skywest negotiators to go and wash Our claim is for 17% over three years Skywest are offering. their mouths out with soap. – not 9% with trade-offs. In return for three 3% increases It now looks like we’ll be heading over three years they want to a major down the same path taken by National Fred’s doctor re-arrangement of pilot rosters that are Jet Systems pilots last year. more favourable to the airline. Fred’s doctor referred It took the threat of industrial action him to a urologist. The new rosters would require pilots to get NJS to start taking their pilots to do more hours for no more pay. No issues seriously. To his surprise, the urologist way Jose. was a female, beautiful amd If there is no change in the attitude unbelievably sexy looking. She After the Ansett crash in 2001 of Skywest the TWU will certainly be told Fred that he has to stop Skywest employees took significant pay recommending an application be made masturbating. cuts to keep the the airline flying. for Protected Industrial Action. With our current agreement due to Stoppages are well and truly on the Fred asked her why. expire at the end of December we were cards She said, ‘Because I am planning on a bit of catch up. trying to examine you.’

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page  HARVEY FRESH DRIVERS IN TOUGH BATTLE Harvey Fresh drivers Daryl Mogg, Mick Appleton and Warwick Gurney are only asking for a fair day’s pay for a long day’s work

MICK KNOWLES Reports

Oranges aren’t the only things that get squeezed at milk and fruit juice company Harvey Fresh, so The hagglings hard for do truck drivers’ wages. For example their B/ Coles owner-drivers Double drivers are paid a flat rate – everything These days trying to gouge money out of Brambles Importantly, they would pay the drivers $35 per included – of $22 per (BIS) is about as easy as extracting teeth from saltwater hour for demurrage – which is when they are sitting hour for working 11 hour crocodiles with a toothpick. around – motor not idling – waiting for loads etc. afternoon/night shifts on So when we went into battle for their owner-drivers This was a big win because, until we arked up, weekdays. on their Coles contract we went in with hardened steel drivers were not being paid a cracker for much of their And on weekends, they crowbars. down-time. are paid $25 per hour And even though the subbies last rate increase – The full hourly rate would also be paid for dog FLAT with NO OVERTIME a paltry 1.3% - was paid more than 18 months ago, runs. For the uneducated, dog runs are when prime LOADINGS or MEAL Brambles were just as stingy as usual. movers are driven back and forth picking up and ALLOWANCES. We got off to a real bad start with BIS boss Gary dropping off trailers. Now, going on my Jakovich whinging that the firm had underestimated it’s Brambles also backed off on their earlier threat to calculations, those rates fuel costs on the Coles contract by $350,000. take away the SIGNIFICANT FUEL DISCOUNTS they put the drivers well out of And – wait for it – this shortfall would have to be make available to their subbies. pocket. taken into account – in the rate negotiations. The company claimed the fuel discount was worth a However, getting the Now I’m not going to go into all the gorey details 7% rate rise. An argument we strongly disputed. family-run company to about the negotiations, except to say things got a bit Anyway they also agree to lift their rates by 1.5%. accept this has been more ugly. The grass outside their yard’s gate was starting In the end, the concessions were not sufficient for than difficult. to look like a good place to set up a barbecue, tent and the owner-drivers to withdraw the threat of industrial I’ve had several some chairs. action. meetings with the firm’s However, in the end, commonsense prevailed and The haggling was continuing as we went to press. management and they are we managed to extract some important concessions playing hard ball. out of them.

Page  The Wheel - Summer 2008 Roofmart drivers stick to their guns on back-pay

We’ve been engaged in a running The TWU added firepower by battle with Roofmart over wages but After non-union applying for and achieving the right to were gaining the ascendency as we factory workers got take Protected Industrial Action. went to press. Confronted with the possibility of Roofmart had originally offered pay two-thirds of F#@k All their drivers walking off the job, the rises of 5% + 4% + 4% as part of a Roofmart bosses blinked. three-year deal. MICK KNOWLES Reports They called a meeting of their But when the troops turned their drivers and offered to back pay to noses up at this they lifted their offer to August 15th. 5% + 4.5% + 4% But where the boys really fell out Now, lesser men might have copped They also offered a $10 meal with their bosses was over the back this compromise but not the men of allowance after two hours overtime pay issue. steel at Roofmart. with 50 cent increases next year and All along the drivers have demanded After all, the place has been going the year after. that the first pay rise be backdated to gangbuster’s during the biggest This is under the meal money award July 1. building boom in WA’s history. And the rate and we are chasing a bit more. They refused to accept Roofmart’s firm had recently merged with CSR – What the company has offered argument that it should apply from one of Australia’s biggest companies. its drivers is not far off the mark. It is November 16 when the agreement They could afford to pay back to certainly a lot more than what they pay was technically registered. July 1, the drivers reckoned. their factory workers. Their pay deals have always been And that’s exactly what Roofmart The factory workers – most of who done from the start of the financial agreed to do, just as The Wheel went are not in a union - got two thirds of year. And while none of the boys are to press. f@*k all and copped it up the date. accountants, they certainly understand Congratulations to our Roofmart At first the Roofmart bosses tried to the importance of back pay to their members on their gutsy stand. families at Christmas time. use the factory pay rates and conditions And special thanks to our delegate as a basis for their offer to us. We told So they stuck to their guns like true Brian Lowe – a very upfront bloke them where they could stick that idea Anzacs refusing to budge until they who did a great job representing his and offered to help stick it up there. could see the whites of their eyes. workmates.

James Rant is ‘The Man’ at CEVA Komatsu

HHHHHHHHHHHH

James Rant has given the TWU a big lift at CEVA Komatsu in Kewdale by taking on the job of union delegate. This picture of James alongside the snazzy front-end loader was taken by TWU organiser Dave Sheaf on one of his regular visits

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page  Ya Jokin • ADULTS ONLY • SOME OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE Edited by Scoop Newsworthy

My Greatest Gripe Jesus is Bloody Women Drivers watching you!

This morning on the Freeway, I looked over to my left and A burglar broke into a house one there was a woman in a brand new Holden Calais doing night. He shone his torch around, 110km per hour with her face up next to her rear view looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said, mirror putting on her eyeliner. ‘Jesus is watching you.’

I looked away for a couple seconds and when I looked The burglar nearly jumped out of his back she was halfway over in my lane, still working on skin and clicked off his torch. that makeup. When he heard nothing more, he shook his head and continued As a man, I don’t scare his business. Just as he started easily. But she scared me so disconnecting the hi-fi wires, the The Rodeo much I dropped my electric voice spoke again. shaver, which knocked the ‘Jesus is watching you.’ Position meat pie out of my other The burglar shone his light around the room, looking for the source Two Texans were out on the hand. of the voice. Finally, in the corner range talking about their favourite sex positions. In all the confusion of trying of the room, his torch beam came to rest on a parrot. One said, ‘I think I enjoy the to straighten out the car rodeo position the best.’ using my knees against the ‘Did you say that?’ ‘I don’t think I have ever steering wheel, it knocked he hissed at the parrot. heard of that one.’ said the other cowboy ‘ What is it?’ my mobile phone away from ‘Yep’, the parrot confessed, then squawked, ‘I’m just trying to warn you ‘Well, it’s where you get your my ear which fell into my wife down on all fours and coffee between my legs, that Jesus is watching you.’ you mount her from behind. splashed, and burned Big The burglar relaxed. ‘Warn me, huh? Then you reach around and Jim and the twins, ruined And who are you?’ cup each one of her breasts in your hands and whisper in the darn phone, soaked my ‘Moses,’ replied the bird. her ear: trousers, and disconnected ‘Moses?’ the burglar laughed. ‘Boy, these feel just like your an important call. ‘What kind of people would sister’s. name a bird Moses?’

Then you try and stay on for Bloody women drivers! The kind of people that would name a 8 seconds.’ Rottweiler Jesus,’ said the bird.

PagePage   The The Wheel Wheel - -Summer Summer 2008 2008 Hansons drivers don’t like being fingered

The way things are going at Hanson Concrete, the bosses will soon have meters in truck cabs to record when drivers fart.

JOHN CAIN asks: What next, sniffer dogs and overhead cameras in the dunny cubicles

It seems Big Brother is alive and Unlike the existing system, well at Hansons. the clocks will record the precise time people spend The concrete firm’s latest at work. TO THE EXACT technological innovation is the MINUTE. fingerprint clock. They want drivers to use the machines to clock on and off For example if you work work. ONE HOUR and FIFTY NINE MINUTES of overtime and In fact they’ve already installed the not TWO HOURS you will mechanical Sherlock Holmes’ in most be denied your tax free meal of their depots. allowance. And they did so without agreement More money in Hansons’s from their employees. pockets, and less in drivers. Predictably, the drivers don’t like At present there’s been a the idea one iota – in fact they’ve few minutes give-and-take given the intrusive invention the BIG each way but it looks like that’s FINGER. about to end. The TWU received heaps of calls It’s Hanson’s way of from angry drivers who believe spreading the Christmas Hansons met with the union and their honesty and integrity is being cheer. representatives from the quarries and questioned. all depots but the meeting ended in They’ve already got people piddling stalemate. We’ve spoke to the company and in bottles to check if they’re drug- voiced our members concerns in no takers - now they want to fingerprint Our position is quite clear – our uncertain terms. them. What next, sniffer dogs and members will not use the machines. We’d been through an extensive overhead cameras in the dunny And Hansons have now put the round of EBA negotiations, during cubicles? matter in the hands of their lawyers. which the fingerprint clocks were We reckon it’s all a bit over-the- It’ll probably end up in court. never mentioned. top and have asked for a meeting to We’ll keep you informed of And the clocks are an industrial discuss the machines. developments. issue because they will have an impact After all, the company has provided upon workers pay packets. NO evidence of drivers cheating the existing system. So why such a radical change?

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page  Rand dRiveRs gRab new fouR-yeaR deal JOHN CAIN Reports Rand have offered a choice of And Bereavement Leave will be JOHN McCAIN Reports A four year deal with four pay rises of increased from two days to four days. 6% + 6% +6% + 4% (total 16%), or: Our delegates Phil Federici and Alan The world financial crisis is slowly Hadence have had a bit of a chat about impacting upon all sectors of industry A five year deal with five 5% increases the offer with the troops and we are and there are indications some transport (total 25%) likely to sign off soon. companies are beginning to feel the They will also lift their meal allowance crunch. to $22 and increase payments for safety STOP PRESS: The Rand drivers Take Rand Transport for example, a boots and cash handling. opted for the four-year deal medium sized cartage company, operating in the refrigerated freight sector. Rand are owned by the Automotive Holdings Group (AHG), the biggest car retailer in Australia. END OF LONG SLOG AT TOLL-COKE Up until this year they were one of Things may go better with Coke for a little bit of Christmas cheer for the Australia’s top companies with a share some people but pay talks at Toll Coke- better halves and kids. price to envy. a-Cola haven’t gone all that smoothly. And it’ll be a Happy New Year too But, as you may have noticed, the In fact we’ve had to go through the because there will be another 4% in world car market has taken a hammering usual tough slog to get our members pay packets due on January 1st. during the global financial meltdown. decent pay rises. The package includes a further two US car giant General Motors Holden Thankfully I’ve had great back up 4% increases to be paid on January is under threat of closure and AHG’s from our delegates – Kenny Gluyas 1st 2010 and January 1st 2011. share price has crashed. representing the wages drivers and Toll also agreed to lift the meal The problems at AHG have come at John Coelho sticking up for the allowance to $20 and the boot a bad time - when we are negotiating a subbies. allowance to $120. new collective agreement for our Rand But we got there in the end and Transport members. Changes to the area boundaries there’s a bit of back pay to come, will also benefit the vast majority of Management has informed us of which always takes away some of the delivery drivers. AHG’s difficulties and say they limit pain. what they can be offered in wages and With the wages agreement done and A 4% increase for wages drivers will working condions. dusted we’ve now turned our attention apply from September 1st and supply to lifting the subbies rates Despite this impediment we look like signing off on a pretty reasonable deal.

Page  The Wheel - Summer 2008 Sacked employees at Southern Coast’s Palmyra depot join Kevin Starr (left) in giving the company a bg thumbs down

SCT craps on loyal wash bay workers

About a month ago the loyal, hard applied to the industrial commission for working wash bay and refuelling staff KEVIN STARR says a hearing. at Southern Coast Transit’s Palmyra In the meantime around half of the Depot were told they would be made SCT handled axings crew of 34 took basic redundancies and redundant by December 1. the remainder stayed on to work for the Their work was to be out-sourced to deplorably contractor. a private contractor but they were not could expect or even if they would be The latter went across to lesser told the contractor’s name or what their permanent. paying jobs, simply because they are pay and working conditions would be. During the following days there were desperate for the money, and who isn’t. We went out and spoke to the guys quite a few concerned bewildered and The staff were all supposed to be and girls and to their credit all but one upset members of the TWU. spoken to and offered jobs with the new or two joined the union in the hope we We tried talking to SCT, telling company. This never happened. could do something for them. them what they were trying to do was On Friday 28th November, they were They had been told that the new downright wrong. They had treated given their letter of termination. Still no contractors would be there the next these people DEPLORABLY. info on pay or conditions. Some were day to give a briefing and conduct They couldn’t even give us the name supposedly going to be told when they interviews. of the contractor, even though they had turned up for work on Monday. I turned up at the meeting and spoke been using the same people to wash Overall, a bloody piss poor way to to the new contractors and asked if we their buses at other depots handle the situation. Peoples’ lives could have a sit down and see what we We have since found out they are thrown into chaos for the sake of a could do for the troops. Adelaide based firm International couple of bucks. Thanks to the multi- During the briefings and subsequent Cleaning. national company Veolia - trading as interviews, drivers were basically Anyway, we were bashing our heads Southern Coast Transit. told SWEET FA about what pay they against brick walls and eventually

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page  POLITICALLY INCORRECT ZONE Adults Only - Some Offensive Language The Day OJ Simpson Died One day in the future, OJ Simpson to the first room. In it was Ted has a heart-attack and dies. He Kennedy and a large pool of water. immediately goes to hell, where the Ted kept diving in, and surfacing I could was break rocks all day,’ devil is waiting for him. empty handed. Over, and over, and commented OJ. over he dove in and surfaced with ‘I don’t know what to do here,’ The devil opened a third door. nothing. Such was his fate in hell. says the devil. ‘You are on my list, Through it, OJ saw Bill Clinton lying ‘No,’ OJ said. ‘I don’t think so. I’m but I have no room for you. You on the bed, his arms tied over his not a good swimmer, and I don’t definitely have to stay here, so head, and his legs restrained in a think I could do that all day long.’ I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. spread-eagle pose. Bent over him I’ve got a couple of folks here who The devil led him to the door of was Monica Lewinsky, doing what weren’t quite as bad as you. I’ll let the next room. In it was Al Gore she does best. one of them go, but you have to with a sledgehammer and a room OJ looked at this in shocked take their place. I’ll even let YOu full of rocks. All he did was wing disbelief and finally said, ‘Yeah decide who leaves.’ that hammer, time after time after man, I can handle this.’ time. ‘No, this is no good; I’ve got OJ thought that sounded pretty The devil smiled and said ...’OK, this problem with my shoulder. I good so the devil opened the door Monica, you’re free to go. would be in constant agony if all

That’s A Good Ad We don’t use that I’m sure that you have seen pharmaceutical advertising kind of language in doctor’s offices on A mother was working in the train stopped and the mother everything from tissues to kitchen, listening to her five-year-old heard her son say, ‘All passengers exam table cover paper. son playing with his new electric who are disembarking the train, train set in the living room. please remember to take all of your belongings with you. She heard the train stop and her son saying, ‘All of You Bastards We thank you for travelling with who want off, get the f#@k off now, us today and hope your trip was a cause we’re in a hurry! And all of pleasant one. you Bastard who are getting on, She hears the little boy continue, get the f@#k on, cause we have to leave’. ‘For those of you just boarding, we ask you to stow all of your hand The horrified mother went in and luggage under your seat. Remember, told her son, ‘We don’t use that there is no smoking on the train. kind of language in this house. No We hope you will have a pleasant I want you to go to your room and and relaxing journey with us today.’ stay there for TWO HOURS. As the mother began to smile, the When you come out, you may play child added. with your train, but I want you to use nice language.’ ‘For those of you who are pissed off about the two hour delay, please see Two hours later the son came ...Well, in my book, this one the fat bitch in the kitchen.’ should get the prize out of the bedroom and resumed playing with his train. Soon the

Page 10 The Wheel - Summer 2008 INin PORT port HEDLANDhedland where the WHEREliving’s THE bloody expensiveLIVING’S BLOODY EXPENSIVE

Bull Cartwright and the boys from Rio Tinto Salt

It’s not an easy job manoeuvring BIS truckies rub salt into I will admit, the Cargill drivers are road-trains around the salt ponds at already on a good whack but high tax Rio Tinto Salt in Port Hedland but that’s Rio-Tinto’s wounds rates and the exorbitant Port Hedland not the only reason our BIS members living costs skim off most of the up there want a huge pay rise. RICK BURTON Reports cream. When you drive into Port Hedland I’m told the normal shopping trolley these days you are amazed by the So it’s not so hard to understand why in Hedland costs between $300 - $400 number of trucks – they swarm all over the BIS drivers at Rio Tinto (formerly to fill. the place like busy bees on a hive. Cargill Salt) have hit the company with Then there’s the exorbitant electricity We may be in the Greatest Financial a 36% pay claim. and water costs. Up that way you either Crisis the world has experienced since The boys want 20% up front and two run your air-conditioners 24/7 or you the great depression – as Kevin Rudd annual 8% rises in a three-year deal. melt and go without sleep. says – but someone forgot to tell Port When we threw this little hand- Cargill Salt knows it is between a Hedland. grenade at the BIS bosses, jaws rock and a hard place. They can’t get The place is throbbing and it’s not dropped and faces drained of all labour for love and that only leaves all good news amid the ongoing North blood. money. West mining boom. Unfortunately for them, we were As The Wheel went to press I was Weekly, people are paying up to deadly serious and they will just have about to head up to Hedland again for $1200 to rent dog boxes, or handing to get over the initial shock and come the next round of negotiations. I’ll let over $750 to live in tin cans in the to terms with reality. you know the result in the next edition caravan park. of the best read magazine in transport.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 11 The Eagles would kill for a back-line like this

pay boost for mazza’s mob! By MICK KNOWLES South West Express is one of the better firms down that way and they God’s looking have quite a few grubby competitors to We have just knocked up a new compete with. agreement with Mark Mazza for his drivers after Tom at South West Express in Bunbury. I was pleased to see a few familiar faces the last time I was in their yard. A The agreement includes pay increases ‘God and I are close. He knows I couple of the Brambles guys on the milk and improvements in their shift loadings. have poor eyesight, so he’s fixed it contract at Brunswick have come over. Mark’s drtivers do mainly chiller/ so when I get up in the middle of One of them is Tim Keays who is freezer work and drive a variety of trucks Mark’s operations manager. the night to go to the bathroom, including semis, B Trains and Pocket poof! The light goes on. Road Trains and Rigids. Tim appreciates the job the TWU does getting more money into drivers’ pay When I ‘m done, poof! the light Because the blokes on the rigids do a packets and has promised to encourage goes off.’ lot more running around in built up areas the boys to join the union. Mark pays them the same as the drivers ‘Wow, that’s incredible,’ the doctor on the bigger rigs. In addition to all our other benefits, says. union members at South West Express And he pays an extra allowance for A little later in the day, the doctor will be entitled to join an income the road train drivers. calls Tom’s wife. protection scheme we are hoping to set up soon. Christine,’ he says, ‘Tom is doing fine! But I had to call you because I’m in WHAT I WANT awe of his relationship with God. Is IS YOUR YOU TO FIRST TURN ME it true that he gets up during the WISH INTO A night and poof! the light goes on in MASTER? SEX SYMBOL the bathroom, and when he’s done, poof! the light goes off?’ ‘Oh my God!’ Christine exclaims. ‘He’s peeing in the fridge again!

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 13 The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 13 Germaine Gear

To My Dear Wife MEN ARE LIKE LAXATIVES

Husbands Letter ❤ ...THEY IRRITATE THE CRAP OUT OF YOU A husband wrote the following letter for his wife and left it on the dining room table:

‘To My Dear Wife, You will surely understand that I have certain needs that you, Women are Evil by Nature being 54 years old, cannot longer satisfy. I am very happy with A woman went up to the bar in a “I’m afraid I can’t, breathed the you, and I value you as a good quiet rural pub. She gestured alluringly bartender... “Is there anything I can wife. Therefore, after reading this to the bartender who approached her do?” immediately. letter I hope you will not wrongly “Yes, I need for you to give him a interpret the fact that I will be She seductively signaled that he should message,” she continued, running spending the evening with my 18- bring his face closer to hers. Her forefinger across the bartender’s year-old secretary at the Comfort As he did, she gently caressed his full lip and slyly popping a couple of her Inn Hotel. beard. fingers into his mouth and allowing Please don’t be upset - I shall be him to suck them gently. ‘Are you the manager?’ she asked, back home before midnight.’ softly stroking his face with both “What should I tell him?” the Hands. bartender managed to say. When the man came home late that night he found the following “Actually, no,” he replied. “Tell him,” she whispered, “There’s no toilet paper, hand soap, or Paper letter on the dining room table: “Can you get him for me? I need to towels in the ladies room.” speak to him,” she said, running her hands beyond his beard and into his WIFe’s Letter ❤ hair. ‘To My Dear Husband, I received your letter and thank you for your honesty about my being 54 years old. I would like to take this opportunity to remind She brought his Ashes Home you that you are also 54 years old. As you know, I am a math Martha recently lost her husband. teacher at our local college. I She had him cremated and brought his ashes home. would like to inform you that Picking up the urn that he was in, she poured him out on the patio table. while you’re at the Comfort Inn, I will be at the Hotel Fiesta with Then, while tracing her fingers in the ashes, she started talking to him... Michael, one of my students, who “Herman, you know that dishwasher you promised me? is also the assistant tennis coach. I bought it with the insurance money!” He is young, virile, and like your secretary, he is 18 years old. She paused for a minute tracing her fingers in the ashes then said, As a successful businessman with “Herman, remember that car you promised me? an excellent knowledge of math, Well, I also bought it with the insurance money!” you will understand that we are in Again, she paused for a few minutes and while tracing her fingers the same situation, although with in the ashes she said, “Herman, that diamond ring you promised me? one small difference; 18 goes into Bought it too, with the insurance money!“ 54 a lot more times than 54 goes Finally, still tracing her fingers in the ashes, She said, into 18. ❤ “Herman, remember that blow job I promised you?” “Here it comes.”

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 15 Dear Jim, Letters to the Secretary JIM McGIVERON

My late husband It only took was a proud member one phone call Dear Jim Dear Jim As you are probably aware I resigned It is with mixed feelings that I write to from work with Mitchells in December “We both loved the Union. You see, my late husband last year and then signed on as a was Jim Moncrieff, a proud member casual to do a couple of the other The Wheel” of your Union and a previous driver drivers’ holidays for them during the at Southern Coast Transit, both at year. Well that’s all over now and I Freo and later in semi-retirement at have the caravan all hooked up to Dear Jim Rockingham, where he retired some 2 enjoy my retirement. Just a short note on behalf of my years ago. husband Graham Street who passed So, in saying that, I wish to resign my away in August. I would like to give Jim had notified the Union of his membership with our Union from the notice of his resignation. retirement and ceased being financial. end of the year. Jim passed away at home on 27 Although Graham has not been in the I would like to thank the TWU for being October 2007 after a long battle with workforce for some time now, he has there and just say it is a comfort to health problems and his funeral was always remained a member of the know we have someone there to call well attended by fellow workmates TWU and appreciated the good work on when we are unable to sort things from both depots. they do. We both also enjoyed the out ourselves. Wheel magazine. Jim was always a proud member I would like to thank Rick Burton I would also like to thank the Union for of the Union but he resigned from it especially for his help over the years after he retired. We have continued the funeral fund cheque I received, it and in particular that one time that was much appreciated. to get copies of the Wheel and often I’m sure he will remember about. Me wondered if it was normal practice beating my head against a brick Keep up the good work. for past members to receive it, or is it wall for two weeks, then one phone an oversight by management? Either call to Rick and all is fixed in a couple Regards way it has given me great comfort to of hours. Sheryl Street keep up with what is going on in the transport industry. You see, it is, as Anyway thanks again and I hope I may Sheryl, Please accept our belated you can imagine, very lonely without see you in Geraldton for a meeting condolences on the loss of Graham. your man. before Christmas. We have put you on the Wheel mailing My main reason in writing to you is to Malcolm Coles list. Jim bring to your attention the pleasant HHHHH HHHHH but curious reason as to why I am still getting the Wheel. Bus driver says thanks Keep up the great way you look after your members. for the money Yours sincerely Shirley Moncrieff Dear Jim Extending a personal thanks to you and the TWU team for the hard work and Shirley, Your Jim was a greatly long hours to successfully negotiate a respected member and we’ve put you new pay increase for Transperth bus on the Wheel mailing list too. Cheers, drivers. Jim. Yours sincerely Frank Cherry HHHHH Thanks for that Frank, it’s nice to know our efforts are appreciated. HHHHH MUM, I GOT THE JOB!

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 17 ON the BUSES Driver nabbed on mobile at bus stop Sometimes the We can understand the cops law is an ass, says busting dickheads like this but KEVIN STARR not bus drivers at BUS STOPS!

We all know using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous and illegal but a recent incident with a Swan Transit southern river operator has left us gob smacked. The driver had pulled over into a bus stop when his mobile started ringing. He applied the hand brake, put it out of gear and answered the phone. All this was verified by Closed Circuit Video. Next thing he knows, a copper from the unmarked car behind him is knocking on the door and writing out a ticket for using a mobile phone while driving??? We rang the traffic branch for clarification and they were really good But a bus-driver, STOPPED in in explaining where the driver went a bus stop CANNOT use a mobile wrong. phone. Because it is not a designated They did say that it was a bit rough parking area but correct. It goes like this: Even weirder, drivers can speak HE HAD SIX KIDS Section 265 of the Traffic Act 2000 on two-way radios because they are states that it is an offence to drive EXEMPT. A man boarded a plane a motor vehicle and use a mobile Anyway, the good old days of the with 6 kids. phone while MOBILE or STATIONARY depot calling you on the two way and – unless you are PARKED. asking you to pull over at your earliest After they got settled in PARKED – according to the ACT is convenience and take a call on your their seat a woman sitting when you have actually parked your mobile WILL NOW BE A THING OF vehicle in a designated parking area. THE PAST. across the aisle from him Apparently, a bus stop is NOT a And I reckon we will also have to leaned over and asked, designated parking area according to look closely at stopping at Timing the Act and THE COPS. Points. Can’t stop, unless for the “Are all of those kids Under Section 164 a vehicle may purpose of picking up or setting down yours?” not stop in a bus stop unless it is a passengers, can we? bus. Okay, that’s a given, and only I have raised this issue and seek He replied, “No. I work for for the purposes of setting down or answers on these issues at the next a condom company. These picking up passengers. Public Transport Security Committee meeting. are customer complaints.”

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 19 New pay records laws to target fleet-owners

I’d like to make it clear that the TWU records of any employer – even if their has no axe to grind with those small But not those who employees are not union members. fleet-owners who employ drivers and The employee will not have to pay them their full entitlements. do the right thing put themselves in the firing line by We know there are good operators revealing they have complained to out there who try hard to do the right JIM McGIVERON Reports the union. thing. Some of these people are These new laws will help us flush respected members of our union. • No meal allowances, overnight out fleet-owners who have been However, we receive far too many allowances, shift loadings, etc. able to undercut good operators by complaints from drivers who are being • No workers compensation cover underpaying drivers. badly exploited by fleet-owners as required by law. If we suspect underpayments Drivers are being ripped off in Often, the offending fleet-owner we will simply make application to many ways: gets away with the rip-offs because inspect the time and wages records • No award pay rates and the underpaid driver fears for his job of the employer (fleet-owner). overtime. and doesn’t want to be named. And after offenders have been • No superannuation contributions However, as part of sweeping taken to court and dealt with we will made to a complying fund. changes to our industrial laws the publish details of their convictions TWU will be able to inspect the and penalties.

TRANSPORT WIN A PRIZE! WORKERS UNION Missing Wheels MOTIVATIONAL Elected Officials - WA BRANCH MESSAGE FOR TODAY President The TWU is in the process of having all Ray McMillan our copies of the Wheel indexed and bound in journals. Vice President Mark Bebich The Wheel is a great way to track the progress of the union and all its Secretary achievements over the years. Jim McGiveron By binding them we can ensure that we Trustees take care of these records of our history Rick Burton, Bob Dunn and make sure they are available for years to come. Committeee Members We have most copies on file but there are Paul Aslan a few that have gone missing over the years. John Cain We are asking any TWU members and Jeff Williams Wheel readers out there if they have any John Davis copies stored away that we could have in Jenny Davies order to complete our collection. Mick Knowles John Johnston Prizes will be given to anyone who Tim Dawson can provide us with any of these missing Neville Hodgson copies Michael McGiveron 1991 Autumn 1989 Winter & Spring Organisers 1988 Spring Rick Burton 1986 Winter and Spring John Cain 1985 Spring Tim Dawson 1984 Spring Federal Councillors 1981 Winter Paul Aslan If you have one of these editions just Ray McMillan give the office a call on 1800 657 477 to F@#k IT! Rick Burton organize donating the Wheel to us and Jenny Davies collecting your prize. I’m Going Home

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 21 twu worked hard to lift drivers pay at Brookes The TWU did everything in its power Brookes agreement compared to what to get the best possible pay and MICK KNOWLES Reports K&S drivers are entitled to. conditions agreement for our members This issue is SERIOUS because all • The small amount of work done by at Brookes Transport. the talk from K&S has been about YARD Kewdale drivers could be done It was our involvement that caused CLOSURES and the FIRM GOING OUT from K&S yard in Sheffield Road, the company to increase its pay offer to OF BUSINESS. Kewdale. 17% over three years. Under the Brookes agreement drivers • Drivers could lose all their However our ability to achieve further are only entitled to a MAXIMUM of 16 overtime. improvements was severely restricted weeks. • Brookes main customers - Westfi by the alleged dire financial position the Yet K&S drivers are entitled to up to and Laminex, etc - are all still firm claims it is in. 52 weeks if they are made redundant. suffering from the gas shortage The company told us: Hopefully there will be no job losses problem and have had to scale • If the eastern states based K&S or redundancies but in the current back their operations. Freighters hadn’t taken over economic climate you just don’t know. Having been bombarded with all this Brookes Transport the local firm depressing news a majority of drivers For these and other reasons the TWU would have gone out of business. voted in an unofficial ballot to accept was keen to finalise a UNION agreement • Their Kewdale yard is only a the firm’s latest offer. that would give the drivers MAXIMUM support yard for their Dardenup PROTECTION. There were aspects of the deal we operation and its (Kewdale’s) were unhappy with. However, we understand the difficult CLOSURE had been seriously position our Brookes members were One of these was the INFERIOR under consideration. confronted with. REDUNDANCY PAY conditions in the

They had to promise their wives

Four married guys go fishing. After an hour, the following conversation took place: First guy: ‘You have no idea what I had to do to be able to come out fishing this weekend. I had to promise my wife that I would paint every room in the house next weekend.’ Second guy: ‘That is nothing. I had to promise my wife that I would build her a new deck for the pool.’ Third guy: ‘Man, you both have it easy! I had to promise my wife that I would remodel the kitchen for her.’ They continue to fish. When they realised that the fourth guy has not said a word, they asked him. You haven’t said anything about what you had to do to be able to come fishing this weekend. What’s the deal?’ Fourth guy: I just set my alarm for 5.30am. When it went off, I shut off my alarm, gave the wife a slap on her butt and said: ‘Fishing or Sex?’ and she said: ‘Wear sun-block.’

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 23 Just in case you haven’t noticed

There’s a hole in the economy

There are growing signs the biggest Hopefully, we will have ridden out the economic boom in WA’s history is And there’s never storm by then and be in a position to slowing, if not coming to an end. move forward again. The boom delivered many benefits to been a better time to In the meantime, we may have to Australian workers, not the least being be in a strong union batten down the hatches, and give job record low unemployment. security our top priority. It’s darned hard In the transport industry there has Says PAUL ASLAN to pay the sort of mortgages people been a chronic shortage of labour and have today, without a job. the TWU has taken advantage of this to And the best way to protect jobs is push up wages wherever we could. by sticking together as part of a good Overtime, which many members too much damage. But there is no way solid union. have had to rely on to cover the blow we will be unaffected. In recent years, the labour shortages out in living costs, for essentials such as There are already indications that have lulled some people into believing housing, has been plentiful. consumer buying, construction activity they are bullet proof. That they don’t Now we are hearing it’s becoming and demand for our minerals is dropping need a union! easier to attract drivers and that overtime off. But Bob Dylan was right when he is drying up in some areas. Some say the real crunch of the wrote and sang, “The times they are a As media commentators are slowdown will not be fully felt until after changing”. constantly telling us, nobody will escape Christmas. I think they might be right. The times are always changing but the global financial meltdown that has However, I have always believed one thing never changes and that’s descended upon us so quickly. transport workers are generally better the old saying UNITED WE STAND – The prophets of doom are out in force placed than most workers to ride out DIVIDED WE FALL. and many of them are predicting a long- recessions. And now is an important time to term recession. Throughout 2008 the TWU has UNITE! The optimists are hopeful Australia been locking away three-year wages will be able to ride out the crash without and conditions deals that will take us through to 2011.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 25 WHO YA GUNNA CALL?

George got strong back up from TWU lawyers Slater & Gordon who were there for him when his life was tipped upside down

Every day we hear of people who And because his employer had not have had their life turned up-side-down One treatment involved addressed the problem when they by a cruel twist of fate. six or seven needles being could easily have done so, George was It could happen to you, me, anyone, prepared to go to trial. and it happened to George Croec a few inserted into my spine However, Slater and Gordon were years back.. able to negotiate an excellent out-of- George injured himself while working He previously reported to his court settlement for George. as a truck driver for a local linen service employer that the cages would fall He continues to make slow progress company. over when driving his truck to collect or with his recovery but is determined to He had been with for the firm for over deliver linen. return to work as soon as possible in a three years and was fit, healthy and He was then required to upright the different occupation. enjoying life. heavy cages by himself, without any “I am still on painkillers and it (the Now he struggles to cope with assistance. injury) affects you psychologically. You constant pain which prevents, or limits, George injured his back lifting the think, I am not able to do a man’s work.” many of the activities he once loved to cages but did not lodge a claim initially. he said. participate in. No bludger, he wanted to soldier on, “I often feel irritable and get upset On weekly compensation payments giving of his best for his employer. but I have a very good partner and she he has also been unable to afford many He continued working for has been wonderful in helping me get of the little luxuries of life that many of approximately five months with pain. through this. us take for granted. It was only after his doctor ordered a “I have tried everything to try and get After 13 weeks on compo, payments scan that it became apparent the injury back to work. One treatment involved drop back to the base rate. Things like was work-caused and that he would not six or seven needles being inserted into overtime, meal allowances, etc are no be able to continue. my spine. It didn’t work.” longer included. The insurer was not interested in George Croece is now one of the George has had to tighten his accepting liability for his claim. TWU’s greatest advocates. “You never belt several notches and make other Fortunately George was a TWU know when you might need the TWU,” adjustments. member – the only one at the company. he advises other workers. The injury he suffered could happen With the help of the TWU’s industrial “It is worth every cent because to most transport workers who have to officer Neville Hodgson and our lawyers, the union and their solicitors know lift heavy goods. Slater & Gordon, the claim was finally the law and will ensure you get your George was required to manoeuvre accepted. entitlements.” wheeled cages of linen, which weighed George was back-paid and began approximately 150kgs. He did this on a receiving regular payments. repetitive basis as part of his delivery duties. Written by PAUL ALAN & JOEL SCHNEIDER

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 27 Climbing Gobbled up by SITA Sita, the Kewdale based refuse firm, has been out there gobbling up smaller companies as if there is no global financial crisis Iron Mountain Their two latest acquisitions are Western Recycling in Osborne Park and Medicollect We’re chasing by JOHN CAIN the previous round more money for of negotiations. who take care of hospital waste. our members at Iron Mountain, The troops now want it But being gobbled up is good news for formerly known as Pickfords included into their base rate so workers at the smaller firms because our Records Management. it can be taken into account for SITA agreements are amongst the best in the We have about 20 members overtime payments. industry. at the company and have met The firm is balking at this I’ve already spoken to the troops at Western with them to nut out our claim. demand and has instead offered Recycling and the company has given them a Julie Heeney is helping to guarantee the ongoing pay rise. me with the negotiations and payment of the allowance in I’m optimistic about a positive writing. This is only an interim measure and negotiations are underway on union collective outcome. Other items on the agenda Management has offered include increases in allowances agreements to cover the new bods. pay rises totalling 15% as part for meal money and boots. We We’re looking at classifications and structures of a three-year deal but there also want a bit more Breavement and a couple of issues with casuals. are a few other issues we want Leave. However, I’m certain our latest batch of new sorted. We’ll keep bashing away but members will be happy with the outcome. As The most important is I don’t think we are far from they say in the classics - it’s all good. the $57 per week incentive agreement. allowance which we achieved in Rules for the Xmas Barbie We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity. When a man volunteers to do the BBQ, the following chain of events are put into motion: Routine... 1) The woman buys the food. 2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert. 3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it Important again: on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils 8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN. beside the grill - beer in hand. 4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three More routine... meter exclusion zone where the exuberance of 9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, testosterone and other manly bonding activities can napkins, sauces and brings them to the table. take place without the interference of the woman. 10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does Here comes the important part: the dishes. 5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL. And most important of all: More routine... 11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for 6) The woman goes inside to organise the plates and his cooking efforts. cutlery. 12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed ‘her 7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is night off’. And, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring concludes that there’s just no pleasing some another beer while he flips the meat. women...

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 29 The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 33 Good fences make

good neighboursAnd you might not be able to claim notice to the other. But you should speak Just ask my mum, says until he has built on his land. That’s right, to your neighbour first and have a go at if it’s a vacant piece of land without any reaching agreement on the costs. This JESSICA ASLAN substantial building or structures on the will make it much easier later on. I don’t know about you but my mum land he may make you wait. When repairing or constructing the is always fighting with the neighbours’. That’s why it’s best to advise him fence you should try to inform your If she had her way she’d have my dad or her that you want to build the fence neighbour of what you’re doing. You take a chainsaw to their trees and make and reach agreement on the costs might need to go onto their land and get him cut down the shade-house they’ve beforehand. You’re allowed to go ahead their OK. Don’t go onto their property bolted to our side of the fence. and build it without such an agreement, unless it is necessary and reasonable to They say that good fences make good but you might be waiting a while for him do so. And make sure you only do it at neighbours and it is good to know a little to pay you his half. reasonable times. about the rules in regards to that kind of If you have an existing fence that But what if you’re a renter? As a thing. gets damaged, you have a couple of tenant you’re not liable for the cost of For example: If a tree is hanging options. You can notify your neighbour fixing a fence, right? Wrong. If your over your fence or a root is coming that you are prepared to repair the fence lease is for a term of 5 years or more you through you’re allowed to cut it up to and pay half the cost. You can let the might be liable for a portion of the cost, your boundary. But don’t try and poison other owner repair the fence and you pay the amount of which is dependant on the the damn thing. If your neighbour’s a real half the cost. Or you can have a third length of the lease. If you live in a strata horticulturalist you might find yourself in party repair the fence and each pay half of title you can make a claim against the the Magistrates Court. In those kinds of the cost. If one party refuses to pay, the owners for a contribution. But I’ll save situations you might need expert legal other can take them to the Magistrates the discussion on strata titles for another advice. Court to get payment for his/her half. edition if you’re interested. There are laws and rules in regards to ‘But what if it was the neighbours fault So, those are some of your rights and dividing fences. On the Department of that the fence was damaged?’ I hear you obligations when it comes to dividing Housing and Works website you’ll find a cry. Well the Act recognizes that only fences. And while you may have the brochure on the subject. in certain cases is your neighbour liable right to cut up the tree hanging on your The Dividing Fences Act 1961 states for the full cost of repairs. That is, only side of the fence and replace a damaged that neighbours share the cost of when due to the negligence of your fence without talking to your neighbour, building and maintaining a sufficient neighbour, the fence is damaged or it’s much less complicated later on if you dividing fence. Each council may have destroyed by fire, or a falling tree. If he talk to them beforehand and maintain different regulations on what a sufficient refuses to sort it out you can fix the fence a good relationship. Otherwise you fence means. But it’s probably safe to yourself and take him to the Magistrates might have to drag the issue through say that if you’re planning on building Court for the full cost later. mediators or the Magistrates Court. the taj mahal of fences you might not be When the fence is damaged Sure, you’ll have a nice fence, but you’ll able to hit your neighbour up for half the by flood, fire, lightening, storm, or also have one pissed off neighbour. And cost. accident, either owner is allowed to that’s what I keep telling my mum. immediately repair the fence without

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 35 A Worker Writes to Worksafe

“I have suggested the need for extractors.”

To whom it may concern, I’ve also heard that such equipment is material, such as stainless steel which is I am a worker from Roofmart in Kewdale expensive and if I want it, fine, but I must also welded on occasion. and have major concerns regarding the pay half. At Roofmart our welding bays are safety of our workplace. Is safety for myself and my fellow so close together even if I refuse to weld I have been employed there coming up workers our own responsibility or does it there is no extracting and I am still to my 13th year and have been welding for Roofmart have an obligation to supply affected. at least nine of those years. safety gear? After reading the information today, We weld Zincalume and Galvanized In the past the safety committee has as of Monday I am refusing to weld steel with little to no protective equipment brought up concerns which are still in the any material until supplied the proper besides a household fan which the company archives today - which I have viewed - equipment. Do i have this right as an purchased from Big W. where 5yrs ago a request was put forward employee? We are supplied a mask which we are and management didn’t act. Are there any tests I can get to find out told prevents the fumes of Galv, this mask We are paid a $2.00 an hour bonus for how badly I am affected by welding and to is made by Drager and is the piccola welding galv which workers accept, as tell me if in the future if I will suffer more FFP2. The ‘face-piece’s instructions welders at Roofmart are paid just $17.per breathing problems? state’s does not provide protection against hour and need the money I am a 32 yr old male, non-smoker who gases, vapours and fumes! Is not safe for So nothing is said but I feel this is a tries to keep physically fit and has two the welding in door frames nor is it safe bribe and after reading the facts never kids I wish to be there for, if galv welding for spraying them either - which we do. want to weld galv again. I’m concerned doesn’t put me 6 feet under. I have looked into internet sites on galv because other workers are scared they will Attached is our welding conditions, the welding after I started feeling sick and the take the bonus if something is said. fans we use and the unsafe masks that are search results scared me to know that what What rights do we have at Roofmart? supplied. Any information you can give me I was experiencing is ‘Metal Fume Fever’. And is $2.00 the price you put on your will be a breath of fresh air. And I can only look forward to further life? Or you can contact Roofmart and cancers and breathing problems if nothing And what is safe work practice speak to the safety manager to sort out my is done to prevent this. regarding the welding of galv. Or any other concerns. Thanks. I have approached management about Regards. the problem, suggesting the need for any ‘I started feeeling sick The name of this TWU member has equipment such as extractors and better been witheld. Worksafe has since visited masks which will do the job. Their only and the Internet search the site and recommended improvements response has been that they’ll look into it. results scared me’

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 37 Dealing with rude customers....

For all Who Work With Rude Customers, shame WE can’t actually do this! An award should go to the Virgin Airlines desk attendant in Sydney some months ago for being smart and funny, while making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo. A crowded Virgin flight was cancelled after Virgin’s 767s had been withdrawn from service. A single attendant was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travellers. Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down to the counter and said, ‘I HAVE to be on this flight and it HAS to be FIRST CLASS’. Without hesitating, the attendant find his identity, please come to Desk The attendant replied, “I’m sorry, smiled and grabbed her public 14.’ sir. I’ll be happy to try to help you, address microphone: ‘May I have With the folks behind him in line but I’ve got to help these people first, your attention please, may I have laughing hysterically, the man glared and I’m sure we’ll be able to work your attention please,’ she began, - at the Virgin attendant, gritted his something out.’ her voice hear clearly throughout the teeth and said, ‘F... You!’ Without The passenger was unimpressed. terminal. ‘We have a passenger here flinching, she smiled and said, ‘I’m He asked loudly, so that the at Desk 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW sorry, sir, but you’ll have to get in line passengers behind him could her, ‘do WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him for that too. you have any idea who I am?’

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The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 39 COURT ACTION Big fine for firm that sacked union delegate

A Sydney stationery company that unlawfully sacked its union delegate He told a strike- The evidence established the sacking after a bitter strike has been ordered breaker to “Go and lick was because the man was a delegate. by the Federal Court to pay $12,000 in He ordered the company to pay a penalties and $1800 in compensation. the bosses arse” “mid-range” penalty of $12,000 and Members of the man’s union to pay $1800 compensation to the of Workers went on strike when delegate for the period between his allegations in the sacked man’s letter negotiations over a 28% three-year pay dismissal and his reinstatement. claim pay claim broke down of termination “had an air of artificiality about them”. The case shows the need for The company – Esselte Australia employers to be conscious of their Justice Moore noted the “manifest - wrote to it’s workers offering them obligations under the freedom of convenience” for Esselte “of getting AWAs with the enticement of a $250 association provisions of the Act rid of the union delegate who had been sign-on bonus. when considering disciplinary action, at the forefront of union resistance” to The letter told employees that by particularly where union delegates are AWAs. choosing to remain on a union collective involved.” agreement, “you have been prevented from receiving pay increases”. Union members voted in favour of industrial action and the situation “escalated into a bitter and protracted dispute lasting for months”. BUS DRIVER SACKED OVER On the second day of a picket outside the site, the delegate, who was a storeman and packer, approached a car “SPEAR-CHUCKER” JIBE driven by a co-worker who had been on A bus driver was sacked by Consequently, that particular bus leave during the lead-up to the dispute, Brisbane City Council after she wrote route was routinely described by bus and was unaware of the strike. a note asking to be removed from a drivers as the “spear chucker route”. The delegate told him not to enter bus route to avoid having to pick up The statement was backed up by the site, and when the worker asked “spear chuckers with prams” other witness statements. why, the delegate said: “Go and lick The sacked driver took her The worker was subsequently the boss’s arse” and made “offensive case to the Australian Industrial asked by management to provide bodily and facial gestures”, which the Relations Commission claiming unfair a written apology to the Aboriginal worker reported to management. dismissal. woman - but refused to do so. She On the same day, an AWA employee The AIRC was told the note was claimed the note was not intended sought to cross the picket line and intended for the driver’s friend and co- for the woman, and the woman was alleged the delegate called him a worker, who she thought was working being “oversensitive”. “fucking c**t”. The AWA employee in the council’s refuelling bay. The driver claimed she did not reported the allegation to management. The woman had asked for a bus condone any racist or discriminatory When the delegate returned to work that didn’t have a lift for picking up conduct as she was of Asian descent after the dispute ended in September, prams so she didn’t have to travel on herself and homosexual. the company wrote to him asking him to the route in question. In his finding, the commissioner meet with them five days later over the The route was picked up by a said it was reasonable for the misconduct allegations. worker of Aboriginal descent who employer to question the worker’s The delegate admitted he had complained to management. ability to service its clients in line with broadly done what the first employee In a subsequent investigation, its Code of Conduct. alleged and offered to apologise to him. the driver claimed the reference to He said the driver’s refusal on two But he denied the allegations raised by “spear chuckers” arose from an occasions to provide a written apology the AWA employee. incident when a group of Caucasians, to the Aboriginal woman suggested However the company still dismissed Sudanese, Tongan and Samoan the working relationship had broken him for misconduct. passengers were picked up in tribal down, warranting dismissal. In court, Justice Moore doubted costumes wearing face masks and He rejected the bus driver’s the company’s evidence and noted carrying makeshift spears. application.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 41 Safety News

WA firm fined $40,000 Boy lost fingers over lift-truck incident in fan at firm A Malaga furniture company has been The painter was told an employee of the fined $40,750 over an incident in which a company would operate the EWP while he A Queensland air-conditioning lift truck rolled over and seriously injured worked from a work platform which had business has been fined $40,000 two men. been placed on the tines. He was also after a four-year-old boy had T E Wang Pty Ltd – trading as New Idea supplied with a safety harness. fingers cut off by an electric fan. Furniture – pleaded guilty to three charges The two men carried out the painting job The boy lost the middle and and was fined in the Perth Magistrates Court. for some time, but at around 2.15pm when forefinger on his right hand when The company faced two charges of failing the two men were working with the EWP at he was struck by an exposed fan to provide and maintain a safe workplace close to its maximum extension height, it blade on an air-conditioning unit at for an employee and a contractor who were became unstable and overbalanced away a Gold Coast club. injured when a lift truck they were using from the building. Nick’s Refrigeration (Gold Coast) overturned. It was fined $40,000. The EWP was being operated on the Pty Ltd pleaded guilty to breaches It was also fined $750 for failing to sloping surface of a car park contrary to of the Queensland Workplace provide evidence that the operator of the clear instructions on the machine to use it Health and Safety Act 1995, for lift truck was a competent operator. only on hard level surfaces. failing to ensure that the safety of The painter was thrown out onto the others was not affected by the way In February 2005, a painter was engaged it carried out its business. on a contract basis to paint the external walls bitumen, while the EWP operator remained of the company’s warehouse and showroom, in the operator’s box throughout the fall. The Industrial Magistrates which were 5.5 to 6 metres high. Both men were seriously injured. Court heard that the employer had been engaged to modify It agreed to erect a scaffold but one was WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the case should serve as a reminder the air-conditioning system and not available for several days. To get the had replaced the fan and motor work started, the painter was provided with that machinery should only be used for its intended purpose, and that operators must assembly with a smaller fan, a Crown Lift Truck, a type of elevating work leaving its blades exposed. platform (EWP), from which to reach the be properly licensed or trained. high panels. “The machine itself has clearly-displayed Further, the Court found that instructions for its use, and these were the boy had been able to access The EWP had tines that could be the unit through a missing fence elevated, as well as an operator’s platform disregarded for the sake of convenience,” Ms Lyhne said. panel, which had been in place with edge protection on three sides which before the work was undertaken. also elevated with the tines. BLIND CORD CAUSED CHILD’S DEATH A Perth magistrate described the Court that this was a serious breach actions of the director of a Karratha Dangling cords must of the order and at best, was grossly blind company as grossly negligent be fitted with a safety negligent. She handed down fines and fined him and his company a tension device of $6000 to Sunstone, $2800 to the total of $8800 for serious breaches director and ordered him to pay $5628 of a product safety order designed If dangling lower, cords must be in court costs. fitted with an appropriate safety to protect young children from Ms Watt said the director and the mechanism such as a tension device strangulation. company were aware of the safety so that the cord remains fixed and In August 2005, a Sunstone Design standards required by the order, but immobile, therefore less accessible to director supplied and installed blinds at failed to ensure the tension devices young children. a residence in Wickham, WA, where a securing the blind cords were properly 34-month-old girl and her parents lived. It also requires warning labels to fixed and immobile, or that warning be placed at the base of window Little more than 12 months later, labels were attached. coverings and warning hang tags on the girl died from strangulation after “These are serious breaches with the product. becoming entangled in an exposed tragic consequences that were clearly looped blind cord in her bedroom. Following the death of the child, foreseeable,” Ms Watt said. Consumer Protection investigated A mandatory safety standard Consumer Protection Commiss- the matter and found the blind cords order for internal window coverings ioner Anne Driscoll said compliance supplied by Sunstone had become operated by a looped cord came into with the safety order was paramount loose. The tension device holding the effect on 5 April 2004. because children’s lives are at stake. cord had been affixed to a wall using The order requires all looped cords double-sided tape instead of screws. “The loss of an innocent child must remain more than 1.6m from the brings the seriousness of this matter Magistrate Tanya Watt said during base of a curtain, blind or shade in its into perspective,” she said. sentencing at the Perth Magistrate’s fully lowered position.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 43 ON the BUSES

Rabid Frogg didn’t Bus like Neil’s sermon drivers hit Swan Transit internet driver tips a bucket blogs on his boss Our recent bus industry pay campaign was certainly a BIG Success Dear Neil Smith, and one of the things that made it a Having enjoyed your hospitality at the recent Swan Transit Ball I would like to take winner was the good communication this opportunity to respond to your words of wisdom and support. with members. We kept people informed on what Although I exhaustively asked attendees their thoughts on your speech I didn’t was happening and received constant find any who enjoyed it. I must confess I didn’t ask any of your managers whose feedback from our members. response would be a fore gone conclusion. And they would be looking forward to their Paul Aslan pumped out an holiday in Queensland - oh sorry conference. Funny how there’s endless money for unprecedented number of On the these junkets which are paid for in full by the blood, sweat and tears of your faithful Buses (15) and depot posters. drivers along the way. We have also maintained the lines of communication by emails and sms When dissecting your benevolent speech, most felt you were back behind the pulpit text messages for the same reasons. preaching. In fairness some of the things you suggested were worthy of mention. but The other method of keeping in a number of your drivers were quite put out by your remarks and didn’t appreciated touch has been using internet forums. being “treated like brainless morons on money matters”. A number of your drivers, Two of these forums have been very Neil, have been more careful with their planning of their future than some of your active on current WA bus industry managers and your fatherly advice would be better spent on them than us. drivers issues. Then there was the entertainment. I am of the opinion that you were the class www.busdrivers.hostwest.com.au act. Projecting a most fatherly caring image while after six months of negotiations, This site is hosted by jeffa a Path in the face of rising costs in rent, food, fuel, etc., etc you gave us two bloody percent Transit driver at Malaga. Run for Transperth bus drivers, by a Transperth which didn’t even come close to helping out many of your drivers. bus driver. Drivers are still trying to recover from the last cuts you imposed on us. You There are only 30 odd drivers signed remember, quips, penalties, monies we once enjoyed. And please don’t insult us with up at this point but more are dropping the extra weeks leave. Remember, we can add up just like you and it doesn’t take a in for a visit by the day Rhodes Scholar to do the maths. The other interesting site is an Australia-wide forum. The constant reminder of who was paying for this event too. In fact your drivers www.busaustralia.com/forum/ were the ones who covered the costs of the ball and all its trimmings, us, not you sir!! This one is bigger than Ben Hur, I am sure the cost would be less than your Queensland junket and other overseas trips with separate sections for each state in the past. and interest. Now you are trying to scare your drivers (who can still afford to stay here) that you There are drivers, managers, bus spotters (sorry enthusiasts) even bus need them to do the best job so your company can continue to profit from our toil and passengers onboard at this one. maintain your contracts.. There are literally thousands of What would really happen if Swan was unsuccessful in its tender? Name badges drivers from all over the world talking would change, logo’s on the buses would change and managers would be replaced to each other, getting ideas, trading (now wouldn’t that be a pity). ideas and stories and advice for the newbies. But the drivers would still remain. Funny that, and no it wouldn’t go back to the So get on, have a look and have a old days of your ridiculous scalping the market like you once did to establish yourself chat to the boys and girls who are out at the expense of your drivers (LUCKY WE HAVE THE T.W.U. TO NOW PROTECT there, doing what you do from all over OUR INTERESTS) .Something you neglected to mention in your speech. the planet.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 45 Firm fined $20,000 for not SCT in paying holiday loading Magistrates A small business employer has He then stood her down for four been fined $20,000 and ordered to days and told her to check her facts Court back pay $12,581 in annual leave about the back pay. On December 9 our SCT loading owed to employees. When she continued to stick to members had their day in court The company had claimed annual her guns he put her on annual leave, over a long running pay dispute leave loading had been abolished then, shortly after, sacked her. with management. under John Howard’s lousy IR laws. He claimed she had “not worked as It’s all about whether people But one of the firm’s workers stood a team member” and had “displayed who had regularly worked through up for her rights and insisted to her unrest” on several occasions. The their lunch breaks should have boss that she was being underpaid. usual labels bad bosses put on been paid overtime rates. The boss claimed to have obtained people who stand up for their rights. We say an overtime loading government advice saying he wasn’t However, not to be deterred should have applied but SCT are obliged to pay the loading.. the woman took her case to the playing hard ball. He accused the worker of speaking Workplace Ombudsman and won. So we’ve picked three example to other employees about their rates The company was ordered to fork cases to take to the Magistrates of pay. He demanded to know what out $33,000 in fines and back pay. Court for an interpretation. she had said and told her he couldn’t The gutsy worker deserves We’re now waiting for a decision trust her. maximum credit for her principled and have everything crossed in the stand. hope of a good outcome.

Shep’s our man Mainfreight fined over forklift injury at Instant Bins A goods transport, storage and distribution company has been fined after a worker was injured by a forklift last year. The worker was employed by Mainfreight Distribution in Queensland. He was checking an invoice against the contents of pallets being unloaded from a delivery truck when he was struck from behind by a reversing forklift. He suffered a broken leg and multiple fractures. Investigators found the employer had no engineering controls or physical barriers in place to manage interactions between forklifts and pedestrians. The industrial magistrate took into consideration that the employer had no prior convictions, it cooperated with investigations and its guilty plea, and fined it $32,000 and $1,112 in investigation and court costs.

firM fined $50k over neglected forklifts Dave Shepherds An engineering business has been fined in the Magistrates Court after WorkSafe found a number our TWU delegate of its forklifts required maintenance. at Instant Bins in Inspectors visited the workplace last year after repeated allegations of unsafe work. They found Bayswater. We one forklift in a state of disrepair and no system for maintenance, such as pre-operational checklists. picked him up for The employer was issued with two improvement his sexy legs notices and one prohibition notice. And hit with fines totalling $50,000.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 47 Big win for Bunbury, HARVEY FRESH DRIVERS IN Busselton based bus drivers TOUGH BATTLE Another big win is the phased in MICK KNOWLES Reports payment for down-time when drivers are waiting around for their passengers. If you live down south you might have noticed that some of the local bus drivers After the first 60 minutes downtime– TOLL BUYS are sitting a little higher in their seats. which will be regarded as the lunch break – drivers will be paid at 50% of the It’s because the wallets in their back normal rate until they resume driving. COURIER pockets are fatter thanks to a new union collective agreement negotiated with This rate will apply on charters and Bunbury City Transit and South West trips to Perth. AUSTRALIA! Coachlines. On charters such as the annual Leuwin Estate concert at Margaret River, Seriously though, a seriously good The buy out of Courier deal has been hammered out at meetings drivers will also be provided with food and drink. Australia by the Toll Group has with parent company Southern Coast given the TWU the opportunity However the new 50% rate will Transit in Perth. to improve the wages and not apply for the next Leuwin concert I was ably assisted in the negotiations working conditions of the which had been tendered on prior to our by drivers reps Ian Anderson and Don firm’s employees. agreement. Fraser. The Courier Australia The only real negative in the Terry Scott handled proceedings for operation located in Star Trak’s negotiations was our inability to get the the company together with their industrial old Bentley yard will now be drivers made permanent employees. relations guru Chris Stanley. managed byToll Ipec’s boss We deal with these blokes all the time All the regional bus firms operate with Kenton Muller. casuals. Bunbury City Transit and South up in Perth and usually find them fair and The trucks will keep the West Coachlines say they would not be reasonable. Courier Australia branding able to compete if they had permanent The new deal includes a big rate until Toll Ipec move into their drivers. increase, which has been tied to an new super yard which is being average weekly earnings index. From But one thing’s for sure, their drivers built on Abernathy Road in now on drivers will receive six-monthly are the best paid down that way – by a Hazlemere. country mile. pay adjustments. When that happens Courier All drivers on government reimbursed Australia trucks will disappear work will be backpaid to July 1. off WA roads and I can’t say I’m all that sad about that. They were not a union friendly company and we only have a handful of Sam and Senada TWU members there out of about organiser 30 dock hands, forkies and 80 brighten up Dave Sheaf subbies. It’s early days yet but we our magazine snapped should be able to do a lot for best mates the guys and gals. Samantha Toll Ipec are doing a bit of Dilley and an inventory of who is who, Senada who is doing what and how Maketic on much they are being paid. one of his In the meantime, the troops have already had one win with recent visits Toll agreeing to pay the same to Coventrys $20 meal allowance our Ipec depots. Dave’s members receive working hard Previously they were only at persuading paid the $11.69 award meal allowance. the spare Another improvement I parts firm to have discussed with Kenton commence is Income Protection Cover – talks on a new a very important benefit that pay deal. the Courier Australia workers don’t have access to.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 49 FREE PUPPY Our neighbour has a puppy he’s giving away Last Laugh (FREE). It’s a Dachshund, it’s a house broken, and it’s great with kids. with Scoop Newsworthy He’s giving it away because his wife says the dog ‘stares’ at her when Frank was the perfect man she is undressing, and that gives her the heebie A man walks into the street and remember everybody’s birthday. He jeebies. I think she is manages to get a taxi just going by. knew all about wine, which foods to just weird! He gets the taxi, and the cabbie says, order and which fork to eat them with. “Perfect timing. You’re just like Frank.” He could fix anything. Not like me. I If you’re interested, or change a fuse, and the whole street know someone who is, let Passenger: “Who?” blacks out. But Frank Feldman, he could me know. Here’s a picture Cabbie: “Frank Feldman. He’s do everything right. of the dog. a guy who did everything Passenger: “Wow, some guy right all the time. Like He then.” my coming along when was an you needed a cab, things Cabbie: “He alway knew the happened like that to amazing quickest way to go in traffic Frank Feldman every guy and avoid traffic jams. Not like single time.” me, I always seem to get stuck in them. But Frank, he never made Passenger: “There are always a a mistake and he really knew how few clouds over everybody.” to treat a woman and make her feel Cabbie: “Not Frank Feldman. He was a good. He would never answer her back terrific athlete. He could have won the even if she was in the wrong; and his Grand-Slam at tennis. He could golf clothing was always immaculate, shoes with the pros. He sang like an Opera highly polished too- he was the perfect baritone and danced like a Broadway man.He never made a mistake. No Turn This Pic star and you should have heard him one could ever measure up to Frank play the piano. He was an amazing Feldman.” guy.” Passenger,: An amazing fellow. How did Nosey Passenger: “Sounds like he was you meet him?” something really special. Cabbie: Well, I never actually met Frank. Buggers Cabbie: “There’s more...He had I jut married his f**king widow.” a memory like a computer, could Paddy and Mick Paddy met Mick in the street MUJIBAR SITS HIS TEST and said, ‘Paddy, in future you shoud draw your bedroom Mujibar was trying to get a job in India. curtains before making love to The Personnel Manager said, ‘Mujibar, you have passed all the tests, your wife!’ except one. Unless you pass it, you cannot qualify for this job.’ Mujibar said, ‘I am ready.’ ‘Why?’ Paddy asked The manager said, ‘ Make a sentence using the words ‘Because,’ said Mick, ‘all the Yellow, Pink and Green’ street was sniggering when Mujibar thought for a few miutes and said, ‘Mister manager, I am ready’ they saw you two making love The manager said, ‘Go ahead.’ yesterday.’ Mujibar said, ‘The telephone goes green, green, and I pink it up, and say, Yellow this is Mujibar.’ Mick said, ‘Nosey buggrs, well, Mujibar now works at a call centre. the laugh’s on them. I wasn’t No doubt you have spoken to him, I know I have. home yesterday.’

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 51 Qantas ground crews vote in new pay deal

but reject airlines unpopular trade-offs RICK BURTON Reports

A new pay deal at Qantas will deliver pay increases averaging 13.5% over three years. And the first rise will be backpaid to July 1. In addition to the pay rises there The cap on part-timers work hours were a number of other achievements: to be lifted so they can temporarily fill In an Australia-wide secret ballot, in for full time workers. This will allow 86% of our Qantas members voted in • A boost in superannuation more relief work to be performed in- favour of the deal. contributions to 10% for those not house, rather than by labour hire. in the defined benefit scheme. It was a hard slog and our delegates 10 weeks paid maternity leave now put in a lot of hours on the ground and • Superannuation salary sacrifice locked into our collective agreement. in the air working on the deal for their benefits for all employees on the workmates. defined benefits scheme. This will Optional cashing out of accrued deliver a 1.3% - 1.8% tax benefit annual leave and RDO entitlements. Special thanks to Mark Bebich and per annum. Alan Scroop (Ramp), John Rawlingson Importantly, several unpopular (QFC) and Jeff “Chewie” Shea in trade-offs being proposed by Qantas Cargo. were rejected by the TWU. . • REJECTED: The new “B grade” starter rate that Qantas was pushing to bring in for new employees. DONE DEAL AT TIP TOP • REJECTED: An increase in part time working hours to 35 hours per In under a year our members at That all adds up to 17% over the week and new four-hour shifts for Tip Top Bakeries will have pocketed term of the agreement – not a bad casuals. pay rises totalling 12 %. result by any measure. In fact it’s The first 5% increase was to be probably the best deal ever done in • REJECTED: A new minimum call in back-dated to October 20. This the bread industry. time of 3 hours. will be quickly followed by a 2% Hats of to Tip Top who - unlike • REJECTED: The watering down of increase in April 2009. A further 5% Buttercup – have held onto all our dispute procedures. will be due in October 2009. their wages employees and not One year later – in October 2010 contracted out their bread-carting. Given the state of the world economy – our troops will receive another High fives to our delegates John and its impact on air travel, the overall 5%. Luke, George Read and Mark outcome was a very good one for the Mir. union and its members.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 53 TIM DAWSON’S Report

Cool Deal At Bidvest Mitchells push AWA’s After lengthy negotiations that in Kalgoorlie tested the patience of everyone concerned, we’ve finally put the Someone forgot to tell Mitchell’s eventually worked out they had been finishing touches to a new agreement Transport that the Workchoices labour diddled. with Bidvest. laws were pronounced dead by the Australian people at the last federal Fortunately TWU organiser Rick Bidvest are located in Bibra Lake election. Burton was able to get them out of the and are in the business of delivering dodgy deals and onto union collective small goods to a clientel of food Despite rebellions against agreements. outlets throughout the metro area. workplace agreements by their drivers in Perth and Geraldton the firm is now The new TWU package put heaps Our old agreement expired on trying to sneak them in Kalgoorlie. of extra dollars into the drivers pockets June 30 and after talks with our and a similar exercise was done for members we sought pay rises in line And if some of their Goldfields the firm’s Geraldton drivers. with our national claim. drivers don’t snap out of their apathy they might end up on the scummy But it is not only money that workers Management eventually agreed non-union deals. have to worry about when they sign to our claim, and we also won a a non-union deal, it’s also the lack of few other improvements for the On a recent trip to the town I spoke union protection. employees. to several of our members there and warned them of the dangers of I don’t care what anyone says, The company has added a couple AWA’s. the only way blue-collar workers can of extra grades to provide incentive protect themselves is through strength for drivers to progress and earn A few years back Mitchells metro in numbers. more. drivers signed an AWA thinking they would be better off. Warnings from the Unfortunately there are quite a A new 90 cents per hour freezer TWU went unheeded. few non-members at Mitchells in allowance will also be paid to Kalgoorlie and drivers could pay a those who have to work in the cold However the proof of the pudding heavy price for their lack of unity. rooms. was in the eating and the drivers

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 55 TIM DAWSON’S Report

Linfox takes big contract off Centurion

When I heard Linfox had just won a big BHP Billiton contract at the expense of Centurion Transport I thought, that’s got to be a good thing. And it is. After all, Centurion was one of the few major transport companies in WA to put its workers on John Howard’s lousy workplace Intercon buys out M&J Millars agreements. On the other hand Takeovers, mergers and buyouts Linfox have an excellent occur regularly these days and one of relationship with the TWU the latest is the sale of M&J Millars to What every and are happy to sign union Intercon. collective agreements. It wasn’t long ago that Intercon man wants for were Ridolfos and it’s all getting a bit And union deals are always hard to keep up with. Christmas a lot better than non-union Anyway, Mal Millar has sold his AWA’s. business to Intercon and will stay on for three years to help manage the Linfox will employ around place. 30-40 people on the BHP Millars was a medium sized firm contract which entails with about 20 drivers who have always delivery of goods and been looked after well but have never equipment to The Big been on a union agreement. Australian’s mine sites That’s changed now with a new throughout the state. deal being struck with Intercon to cover their new employees. The new employees will The Millar’s drivers will be on a work out of the old FCL similar deal to our Intercon members yard in Casino Road and and will receive pay rises of 8% + 5% various regional depots. +5%. Drivers on side-lifters will be happy They will be offered an because Intercon have agreed to pay a EBA similar to the special $10 per day allowance for that type of WA deal we struck earlier work. This will be increased to $12.50 this year for other similar next year and $15 the year after. Linfox operations. New dangerous goods allowances will also be introduced - $7.50 per day The agreement will also for packaged and $15 for bulk. include a $200 per week Depot workers will be eligible for a Regional Allowance for payment of a Competency Allowance employees living in regional – of up to $35 per week - once they areas. acquire relevant skills.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 57 FANTASTIC DISCOUNTS FOR TWU MEMBERS

HEY! HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU MOCK THE IF A WOMAN HAS BEEN THERE’S HALF OF HUMANITY WORKING AT A COMPUTER? ‘WHITE OUT’ THAT MAKES YOUR ON THE SCREEN! GRACELESS HOW? EXISTENCE BEARABLE

MEN SHOULD PAUSE FOR ONE MOMENT AND TAKE ANOTHER LONG HARD LOOK AT THE VERY THING THAT BRINGS MEANING TO THEIR MEANINGLESS LIVES.

The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 59 ehicles V Heavy for Weighbridges WA

WA Weighbridges The Wheel - Summer 2008 Page 60