Transport union threatens nationwide strike by delivery workers ahead of Christmas
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has warned that thousands of workers from Australia’s major transport operators will quit their jobs across the country if their companies fail to agree on working terms in ongoing company negotiations .
Key points:
- StarTrack, FedEx, Toll, Linfox and BevChain are expected to return to the bargaining table with the union in the coming week
- TWU members of these companies have already voted in favor of industrial action
- Union says operators cut permanent jobs to deal with “Amazon effect”
The proposed national strike day has been approved by workers at StarTrack, FedEx, Toll, Linfox and BevChain, and those companies are expected to return to the bargaining table in the coming days.
No precise timetable for national trade union action has been confirmed at this stage.
Two weeks ago, hundreds of StarTrack employees quit their jobs, threatening to disrupt package deliveries across the country.
The TWU has been pushing for protections against the rise of outsourcing in the industry in Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations over the past five months.
ABC News: John Gunn
)“In transportation, job security is literally a matter of life and death,†said union national secretary Michael Kaine.
“When work is sent back to workers with lower pay and rights, safety standards collapse.
The union said operators were aiming to cut secure jobs to deal with the “Amazon effect” of cost cutting in supply chains and competition from AmazonFlex.
New strikes “will lead to delivery delays”
But StarTrack, a company owned by Australia Post, told the ABC it strongly rejects accusations that job security was at risk.
“StarTrack is committed to delivering a strong offering for the new EBA, which includes a guaranteed 9% three-year pay rise, the best in the market, in the form of 3% capitalization each year,” said said a spokesperson.
“This is a premier salary offering, and StarTrack does not offer any pay cuts or terms for its employees.
FedEx has said it will continue to negotiate with the union to reach a fair deal, but is disappointed the union has taken industrial action.
“We have engaged in cooperative negotiations with the TWU with the goal of securing an agreement that will provide a fair increase in wages and pensions that can be passed on to our employees as soon as possible,” FedEx told ABC in a press release.
“FedEx is committed to promoting job security for our employees, including reducing the use of external hires when we can.
“However, in the course of our business we are faced with situations such as annual leave and peak periods where it is necessary to hire outside employees to meet our delivery commitments and provide peak service to customers. . “
Australia Post posted record revenue of $ 8.27 billion and pre-tax profit of $ 100.7 million and StarTrack was the group’s most profitable arm, with delivery volumes up 12% on last year.
In June, FedEx reported record annual results, with revenues reaching $ 84 billion ($ 115 billion) and net income of more than $ 5 billion ($ 6.8 billion) worldwide.