TWU strike threat spreads to Linfox

The Transport Workers Union is threatening to extend strike action to Linfox and its alcohol distribution subsidiary BevChain.

TWU officials met with representatives of Linfox and BevChain on Tuesday to inform them the union would be applying to the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote of workers to go on strike.

The Transport Workers Union is threatening to extend strike action to Linfox and its alcohol distribution subsidiary, BevChain, accusing them of trying to replicate a now abandoned proposal by transport giant Toll to employ new employees on lower pay rates.

TWU officials met with representatives of Linfox and BevChain on Tuesday to inform them the union would be applying to the Fair Work Commission to hold a vote of workers to go on strike.

Parcel and grocery deliveries face disruption on Friday if thousands of drivers proceed with a national 24-hour strike at Toll, despite the transport giant lifting a pay offer and ditching plans to cut overtime. Further talks between Toll and the TWU will be held on Thursday.

Following an employee backlash, Toll has dropped a plan to bring in new employees on 30 per cent lower pay and superannuation. But the TWU said the proposal was being pursued by Linfox and BevChain.

If the strike ballot is approved, and the companies do not drop the proposal, the union says more than 2000 workers in food and alcohol supply chains serviced by Linfox and BevChain will take action. BevChain manages deliveries to more than 25,000 outlets.

On Tuesday, 2000 StarTrack workers also began voting on action, while a ballot for 4000 FedEx workers is due to open next week.

TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said more than 15,000 drivers were now heading towards strike action given talks had broken down with five major transport employers. As well as their proposal for new employees, Mr Kaine said Linfox and BevChain were proposing shift changes unfavourable to workers and refusing to commit to allocating work to permanent employees before outside hire.

“Transport workers are doing the right thing. It takes guts to stand up to your employer and strength to walk off the job, but they know they have no choice,” he said. “If transport companies push ahead and flood truck yards with low-paid, stressed, precarious workers, it will eradicate good, safe jobs in Australia’s deadliest industry.”

In a statement, Linfox said the TWU’s protected action ballot order application did not reflect the state of negotiations, and further meetings were scheduled in coming weeks.

“Linfox has always ensured fair and reasonable rates for our workers that are above award,” a spokesperson said. “We also provide modern equipment, safe working environments and promising careers and opportunities for people who wish to join the logistics industry.

“However, we will always negotiate for a fair outcome for our people and our customers. We are confident we will be able to reach a satisfactory resolution in this case. In the spirit of the ongoing agreement we have had with the TWU for the last three decades, Linfox has had and continues to have discussions with the unions in good faith.”

Mr Kaine said the union was “disappointed it has to come to this”. “The TWU and Linfox have in the past negotiated safe and fair pay and conditions, but we cannot abide attacks on job security and the introduction of a second-tier workforce. It is clear that a downward spiral on rates from the top of transport supply chains is pressuring Linfox to take this uncharacteristic approach. After months of negotiations, workers have no choice but to apply for the right to take action to fight for their jobs.”

Meanwhile, the CFMEU’s mining and energy division has dropped its class action seeking $16m for 900 former and current casual miners employed by WorkPac, following the High Court’s Rossato decision and the passage of retrospective laws in March.