Huge online shopping delays loom as StarTrack drivers go on strike

Thousands of delivery drivers have walked off the job, sparking fears the action could cause massive delays and affect vaccine distribution.

Online shoppers have been told to brace for serious delays, with thousands of delivery drivers striking for 24 hours, with the action also potentially disrupting vaccine supplies.

The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has confirmed that thousands of StarTrack delivery drivers have walked off the job for 24 hours, starting from midnight on Wednesday.

The industrial action will impact services for StarTrack Express, StarTrack Premium and 3PL.

According to the TWU, workers are striking as they “want the same pay and conditions for labour hire as employees, caps on the use of outside hire, and commitments to allocate work to employees before contracting out”.

Striking StarTrack workers walked out at midnight last night over job security concerns. Picture: Twitter/Emily McMillan

StarTrack had applied to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to have the action terminated or postponed for four months, arguing that it could endanger lives, but the application was rejected at a hearing on Wednesday night.

StarTrack, which is owned by Australia Post, released a statement yesterday reassuring customers the company “remains committed to delivering for all our customers” and that “while contingency plans are in place to minimise the impact of this industrial action, deliveries for customers may be impacted”.

The company also claimed the industrial action could affect “those in vulnerable regional communities requiring essential supplies such as medicines, protective equipment and vaccines”.

“StarTrack are disappointed that the TWU are taking this action during a time when the crucial supply of essential goods has never been more important, particularly given we have offered a market-leading guaranteed pay rise, reflecting the hard work of our workforce,” the statement reads.

“StarTrack will continue to advocate for and support our staff and our communities during this difficult and uncertain time.”

Meanwhile, the TWU has branded StarTrack’s attempt to halt the action “cynical”, insisting it had always been clear “the strike would not interfere with urgent medical supplies”.

“This was insulting to the StarTrack TWU members who would never risk the community and have worked so hard despite numerous dangers throughout the pandemic,” the statement reads.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine also blasted StarTrack’s attempt to block the action as a “deplorable tactic which lacked authenticity”.

The strike will last until midnight on Thursday. Picture: Supplied/Startrack

“Disguised under the cloak of Covid, StarTrack has falsely smeared union members as irresponsible when it is threatening the jobs of its loyal workforce and exploiting the pandemic,” he said.

“Transport workers right across the industry are suffering … attacks on their livelihoods because of government inaction which has allowed transport to become a boom and bust industry. “Demand is sky-high, but standards are at rock bottom thanks to unregulated exploitation through the likes of Uber and AmazonFlex which are smashing good, safe standards and jobs.”

Originally published as Huge online shopping delays loom as StarTrack drivers go on strike