Union threat to disrupt parcel deliveries
The Transport Workers Union is threatening ‘major disruption to parcel deliveries’ by FedEx and StarTrack.
The Transport Workers Union is threatening “major disruption to parcel deliveries” by striking in support of backdated pay rises and access to more paid overtime.
Following a recent breakdown in negotiations with transport company Toll, the TWU said talks had also reached a stalemate with StarTrack and FedEx over proposed enterprise agreements covering 6000 workers.
The union will file applications in the Fair Work Commission on Friday to hold a vote at StarTrack and FedEx to strike.
If the ballots are successful and agreements reached, the TWU said workers “could begin industrial action in the coming months in a move that would cause major disruption to parcel deliveries”.
The union said the three companies were using cheaper outside workers rather than paying overtime to direct employees. It wants outside hire workers to be paid the same rates as direct employees for doing the same job.
TWU assistant national secretary Nick McIntosh said workers agreed to forgo pay rises last year due to the pandemic and wanted the first wage increase sought in the new agreement – either 3 or 4 per cent – backdated to 2020.
The union is also seeking an increase in superannuation. Workers at StarTrack, which has offered an annual 3 per cent pay rise for three years, pays 12 per cent superannuation. FedEx pays 11 per cent.
“Workers have sacrificed their time, energy and the safety of their families battling Covid restrictions to get high volumes of parcels to our front doors,” Mr McIntosh said
“Now they’re being asked to sacrifice the safety of their future pay and conditions despite earning record profits for their companies’ wealthy clients like Amazon and Apple.
“These workers are bravely standing up for road safety across our communities. They know that the denial of job security provisions allows companies to cut costs by paying other workers less to do the same job.
“When pay and conditions are slashed in transport, stressed out, fatigued truck drivers are pressured to work quickly over longer hours to make ends meet. This is a growing threat right across the industry.”
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