More than half of road transport workers unprotected from Covid-19

More than half of road transport workers including removalists are unvaccinated and are desperate to get the jab to keep Australia moving.

Exclusive: More than half of road transport workers — including removalists, which have been at the centre of Covid-19 outbreaks — are unvaccinated against the virus, an alarming new study shows.

The Transport Workers Union survey of 1200 of its members revealed just 14 per cent are fully vaccinated, while 54 per cent have no protection at all.

A further 32 per cent of truck drivers, bus drivers, couriers, taxi and ride share drivers, food delivery riders and distribution workers have had their first shot.

The exclusive data comes amid an ongoing push to redefine the front line and prioritise the vaccine for Australia’s most at-risk workers, including teachers, child care workers, hairdressers and retail staff.

Following recent Covid clusters linked to removalists and a limousine driver, the TWU said it was unacceptable transport workers were no further up the list than everyday Australians.

TWU’s Michael Kaine says essential transport workers should be prioritised for vaccination. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine also wants drivers given paid leave for their appointment.

“We’re constantly reminded the virus doesn’t move on its own, but transport workers are perhaps at the greatest risk of contracting and transmitting the virus,” Mr Kaine said.

“No worker should have to choose between putting food on the table and getting vaccinated.

“If we’re going to beat this virus, we need a national plan to prioritise essential transport workers and provide paid vaccination leave.”

One in five (20 per cent) road transport workers said finding time to get the jab was a major barrier to vaccination.

Other reasons included limited availability of appointments (29 per cent) and confusing government advice (21 per cent).

Queensland Trucking Association chief executive Gary Mahon said there was not much incentive for truck drivers to get the jab as, even once fully vaccinated, those crossing state borders must still get tested every three to five days, depending on their route.

“I can’t think of any occupation tested more than our people,” Mr Mahon said.

“If you are doing three return trips (from Brisbane) to Sydney in a week, which is not uncommon, you would have to have a test on Monday, Wednesday and Friday every week.

“(We could expect) if our drivers were vaccinated that might relieve the testing cycle but that’s not the case.”

Thousands of truck drivers continue to cross state borders, with 22,398 interstate commercial transport and freight workers authorised to enter South Australia alone.

NSW Taxi Council’s Nick Abrahim is calling for the fast-tracked vaccination of taxi drivers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Christian Gilles

NSW Taxi Council deputy chief executive Nick Abrahim said taxi drivers should also have priority access to the Covid vaccine.

“They provide a critical service to members of the travelling community and in particular to members of the disabled community,” he said.

RSL Cabs taxi driver Umair Ashraf, 28, has decided not to work until he is vaccinated.

“I don’t know who the guy sitting in my car is,” the south west Sydney resident said.

“We work on the front line, every taxi driver needs vaccination.”

Taxi driver Umair Ashraf is not driving until he can get the vaccine. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Similar calls are being made for teachers, childcare workers, hairdressers and supermarket staff.

When asked whether the government would consider re-evaluating its priority groups, the Health Department said “many teachers, childcare workers and hairdressers may now be eligible for Covid-19 vaccination on the basis of their age, or other grounds”.

United Workers Union executive director of early education Helen Gibbons said she had written to health minister Greg Hunt to request priority vaccination for child care workers.

“We have heard a deathly silence on the issue,” she said.

“We are particularly concerned now that it seems the Delta virus is spreading among children.

“(Early childhood educators) are putting themselves on the frontline … but they have been overlooked every step of the way.”

Unions and industry leaders are calling for teachers and early childhood educators to have better access to the vaccine. Picture: iStock

Hair stylists should be added to the priority list, too, according to Australian Workers’ Union national secretary and Hair Stylists Australia spokesman Daniel Walton.

“Many are casual and nearly all have to work or they can’t pay the bills,” Mr Walton said.

“They should absolutely get priority over well-paid professionals who can earn their wage from home.”

Although supermarket workers in NSW Covid hot spots were recently part of a targeted campaign, retail union SDA is calling for vaccine priority for all supermarket, petrol station and warehouse workers.

Truck driver Nathan Wilson wants to get the jab as soon as possible. Picture: Liam Kidston

CONFUSION KEEPING VACCINATION RATES LOW

Contradictory information about vaccination is the main reason Brisbane truck driver Nathan Wilson is yet to get the Covid jab.

The Willow’s Bitumen Haulage workshop manager, 36, said he was confused by mixed messages about AstraZeneca and Pfizer options and what was appropriate for each age group – but he would like to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

“Truck drivers are essential services so they should get priority,” he said.

“If trucks stop, Australia stops – no one gets groceries, no one gets nothing so you need trucks to keep going.

“We are only a small family business but imagine Toll or Lindsay, if one of them gets a Covid trace through them and it wipes out a whole company.

“These truck drivers are crossing borders and if they do bring the virus home and, before it gets picked up, they are going out and have their kids involved in sports, it can get transferred very quickly, especially with the Delta strain.

“We are not pushing for everyone to get the vaccine or anything like that but 90 per cent of our drivers are on board.”

Originally published as More than half of road transport workers unprotected from Covid-19