Summer 2018 Twuwheel
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THE SUMMER 2018 TWUWHEEL www.twuwa.org.au OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TRANSPORT WORKERS UNION (WA BRANCH) PH: 1800 657 477 Stronger Together! We are Ready to Change the Rules on SAFE RATES! Save Get Ready for the National Convoy the for SAFE RATES 31 March 2019 Date To the travelling public of Perth, our drivers and members of the West Australian Branch of the TWU - we thank you for your continued support. We wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday season and a prosperous new year. Experience 44 years’ experience in the transport & construction industries World Class Support Servicing all makes and models of trucks Considering a career in Public Transport? Leading Performance Trucks With 13 depots across Kenworth and DAF new truck sales Perth and the SouthWest, there is sure to be one near you. Our Parts Experts are Here to Help Comprehensive retail parts outlets NEW & USED SALES, SERVICE & PARTS Contact 9247 7500 or TRUCK DISTRIBITION SPECIALISTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US TODAY ON (08) 9359 7400 787 Abernethy Road, Forrestfield, WA 6058 download an application form at EMAIL: [email protected] Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Perth & Port Hedland www.swantransit.com.au Facebook.com/cjdequipment Linkedin.com/company/cjd-equipment Instagram.com/cjd_equipment Published by Perth Advertising Services. Phone: 9375 1922. Fax: 9275 2955. The Membership has Spoken AND OUR LEADERSHIP OF THE TRANSPORT WORKERS WAS RE-ELECTED IN A RESOUNDING RESULT Our leadership of the Transport Workers in WA was re-elected in a resounding result in TWU union elections last December. Congratulations to Tim Dawson who was re-elected for a second term as secretary. FORMALLY ELECTED POSITIONS (IN ORDER OF PHOTOS): • Branch Secretary - Tim Dawson • Branch President - Ray ‘Macca’ McMillan “Thank you to our strong and active • Branch Vice President - John ‘JD’ Davis • Our Branch Committee of Management - Ralph Roth, membership who voted to keep our Jo Woodford, Andy Payne, Patricia Bushby, Mike Lawson, Jim Morrison, Bruce Spaul, union strong” said Tim Tony Fleming, Travis Leacock, Lee Patterson, • Branch Trustees - Ralph Roth & Jo Woodford “There was some underhandedness and • National Councillor - John Davis, Ray ‘Maca’ McMillan • Female National Councillor - Jo Woodford some misleading comments made by the other team this election, but I don’t think the wool can be pulled over our and on a platform with a vision for your members eyes as easy as that.” future. Our members elected the best ‘Your union will NEVER “Our membership is smarter than that” team for the job.” said Tim. There were union elections held in our stop working hard “Our membership re-elected the only TWU Branches Australia-wide. NSW for the best interests team that was able to act with integrity Branch and National office were elected unopposed. In SA/NT, QLD and Vic the of Transport Workers’ incumbent Secretaries were re-elected to represent their States too. “Due to the misinformation, we may towards a safe and sustainable industry have lost a member or two, I would say and the rights and conditions of to those members, we are disappointed transport workers. we couldn’t sway your vote. But we “Your union will never stop working understand there is always room for hard for the best interests of Transport DIRECTORY improvement and we’d love to have you Workers.” back on board.” Telephone 1800 657 477 Alongside a Branch Committee of Rank FREE CALL STATEWIDE Only 8% of the membership voted & File Transport workers of all sectors, Facsimile (Fax) 6313 3099 against Tim’s team which puts the union I’m privileged to be the Secretary you’ve Website: www.twuwa.org.au in good stead for the future. Email: [email protected] elected to get on with the job!” Address: Level Three, “My promise to you is for a more united The AEC have formally declared the 82 Beaufort Street, Perth, 6000 and resilient union fighting for your rights Transport Workers Union, Western Postal: PO Box 8497, now and into the future. We are working Australia election result. Congratulations Perth Business Centre, WA 6849 hard as ever towards 2020 campaign, to all candidates and participants. TWU Super: 1800 222 071 FREECALL The Wheel Summer 2018 1 Something We Can Agree on As the Federal Election looms & safe rates are firmly on Labors agenda we need to discuss why safe rates is so important for Tr ansport workers Report from our commercial heavy vehicles do not warrant So, when bosses sign on that dotted line, prosecutions under industrial law. they do so knowing that if a life of their Secretary This is a careless approach, because workforce is lost they may just as easily go TIM DAWSON people are dying on the road, AND to Jail or pay a hefty fine. Transport Workers are dying in their The agenda is safety. The biggest priority for unions is workplace workplace. safety. The bottom line for TWU has always been So, when the roads aren’t regarded as safety. It might not surprise you that when you your workplace, but it is 90% of where work in the transport industry the road IS you do your work, when we talk about The assurance you and your family have our workplace. industrial manslaughter, kill a worker and when you leave for work knowing you will send the bosses to jail, if a truck driver return home. And it is a disgrace that Worksafe dies 1000km away from his depot, do you still doesn’t recognise our roads as a think that is going to count? Every worker, no matter what industry, workplace. Do you think that is fair on the truckies should have the right to a safe workplace. And the right to return home safe to their Which means that the fatalities that occur family? families every work day on the road aren’t counted as workplace Industrial manslaughter is not just about fatalities. locking bosses up. And this extends to Safe rates. They are counted on the road toll. Unions are not campaigning for bosses to That if truck drivers and operators are paid line prison cells. a base minimum and a ‘safe’ wage, road And because they are not considered tragedies can be reduced. ‘worksite’ deaths, deaths that involve Unions are asking for a greater accountability from bosses. Report from GLENN STERLE, Assistant Shadow Minister for Road Safety Before Christmas, the Australian Labor Party • After decades of decline, the road toll is SAFE held its 48th National Conference in Adelaide again heading in the wrong direction. where the leadership team and Labor party • Labor will establish a National Office of delegates from across the country came Road Safety. This dedicated unit within together to set Labor’s policy platform which RATES: the Department of Infrastructure will be will deliver a fair go for all Australians under tasked with improving data collection, a Shorten Labor Government. promoting best practice research, and SAFE Over the last 7 months, since my leading the development of the next ten- appointment as Shadow Assistant Minister year National Road Safety Strategy, which for Road Safety, I have worked closely with will commence in 2021. Labor will ensure MATES Anthony Albanese MP, Shadow Minister the strategy draws on the findings of the for Infrastructure and Transport and the Inquiry into the National Road Safety National Office and State branches of the Strategy 2011-2020, and is developed ALP mighty Transport Workers Union on policy in partnership with state and territory relating to that portfolio. governments, law enforcement, motoring REAFIRMS organisations, experts, research bodies I was therefore pleased to move amend- and other relevant stakeholders. COMMITMENT ments at the conference to our existing policies on Road Safety which reaffirms the • Labor will ensure that the national safety TO ROAD commitment that the Labor Party has to standards applying to motor vehicles are reducing road trauma and improving road up to date and fit for purpose. The role of SAFETY AT safety more generally. the national government is to ensure the latest road safety technology features are in NATIONAL At the conference, I was proud to move the new vehicles, including electronic stability following motions which were unanimously control and autonomous emergency CONFERENCE endorsed by the Conference delegates: braking. Labor will work with industry and 2 The Wheel Summer 2018 ‘Every Worker, no matter what Something We Can Agree on industry, has a right As the Federal Election looms & safe rates are firmly on Labors agenda to a safe workplace we need to discuss why safe rates is so important for Tr ansport workers & return home safe Because, as it stands, a drivers’ death is to their families Tim speaks to over 4,000 unionists lining the streets so often seen as an unfortunate accident. each day’ at the Change the Rules Rally in Perth in November When in fact there is a chain of events leading up to these deaths that are entirely preventable. Which is a huge influence on maintaining It starts from the top. Pressure comes from 1. Safe sustainable rates, a fair go for those who choose to operate the top. their own business. 2. Legislation for minimum payments, And even you might believe you’re the 3. Legislation for on time payments and The Road Freight Industry Tribunal has highest authority – everybody has an 4. Legislated conflict resolution recuperated millions for small operators. economic power that dictates what you are paid. This is what your union the TWU is asking This is about a level playing field. for and this is what will help nip these Everybody is accountable to someone.