Transport Workers’ Union taking action against major retailers like Aldi, Amazon

The Transport Workers’ Union says it will serve claims on more than 50 major retailers warning of their responsibility to ensure they are paying transport operators enough to guarantee their goods are being delivered safely.

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THE Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) announced it will serve claims on more than 50 major retailers warning of their responsibility to ensure they are paying transport operators enough to guarantee their goods are being delivered safely.

During a major speech at the TWU National Council in Darwin on Tuesday, National Secretary Michael Kaine outlined the action, stating lifting standards and saving lives was at the heart of the plan.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The TWU will take on some of the biggest global retailers such as Amazon, Apple and Aldi as well as domestic brands IGA, Kmart and Bunnings in a bid to make trucking safer and fairer.

The plan for action and protests comes as enterprise agreements for thousands of transport workers expire in the coming months, with operators already revealing they can’t meet modest pay claims because of the squeeze by retailers.

Mr Kaine said there were far too many truck crash deaths where fatigue, faulty brakes, loads not strapped down properly and even stimulants to stay awake were a factor.

“At the heart of this is an industry on its knees because the major retailers at the top continually squeeze transport operators and drivers to the point that safety is thrown out the window,” he said.

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“Retailers like Amazon and Aldi can boast about big profits but Australians are dying because if it and we won’t cop it anymore.

“We will work with retailers which want to see change so that no transport worker in their

supply chains feels the pressure to drive a faulty truck, speed, work long hours, take

stimulants to keep working or skip their rest breaks.”

In the past five years, 885 people have died in truck crashes, according to the Bureau of

Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics.

In the same period, 183 transport workers have died on the job, the highest by far for any industry, according to Safe Work Australia.

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