Victorian truckies talking to state government about potential strike next week

Major projects could grind to a halt in Victoria if disgruntled truckies strike next week, but the state government is calling for calm.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan says the Victoria’s government is working closely with frustrated truck drivers, who have threatened to go on strike next Monday over soaring diesel fuel prices.

Victorian Tippers United has given the Andrews government one week to solve the problem, with a potential strike from tip truck drivers disrupting work on infrastructure projects like the West Gate Tunnel and level-crossing removals.

Ms Allan said on Monday it’s “too soon” and “premature” to speculate on what might happen.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said on Monday it’s ‘too soon’ and ‘premature’ to speculate on the potential impacts of a tip-truck drivers strike. Picture: Ian Currie

“We work closely with our supply chain partners and truck drivers, and tip-truck drivers are a really important part of the supply chain and the delivery services for our projects,” she said.

“Some proposals have been put forward, some suggestions about some of the pressure that the industry is under have been put forward, and it’s appropriate that we talk to them.

“I don’t want to preempt the outcome of the discussions and automatically assume that we might get to a point where there’s disruption.”

Victorian Tippers United has given the state government one week to deal with the diesel fuel price issue. Picture: Bryan Winstanley 2017

The state government’s cost model pays tip-truck drivers $1.40 a litre, but diesel prices have risen above $2, with tipper owner-drivers expected to absorb the cost.

They also aren’t paid a fuel levy, with VTU secretary Luke McCrone telling the Herald Sun on Monday that owner-drivers are being left with “poverty wages”.

“Once fuel, maintenance and repayments are factored in, owner-drivers are left with as little as $100 per day,” Mr McCrone said.

“It is difficult to understand how a Labor government could condemn workers to building government infrastructure with poverty wages.”

VTU secretary Luke McCrone says drivers are being ‘left with as little as $100 per day’. Picture: Ian Currie

VTU wants the state government to change its cost model or bring in a diesel levy, while it also wants to meet with Transport Industry Council, which sets the rates paid to drivers.

If the issue is not fixed by next Monday, the union will go on strike.

Mr McCrone said at least 300 members would assemble around Melbourne and drive in convoys towards parliament, stopping the transportation of dirt, rock and contaminated soil from construction sites.

“We expect that a prolonged stoppage will cause significant disruptions on major infrastructure projects across Melbourne … some of these projects may grind to a halt,” Mr McCrone said.

Ricky from VTU also called 3AW on Monday, saying there’s no mechanism in place for tip-truck drivers to recoup any of their costs when fuel prices go up.

“We’re the only part of the trucking industry that doesn’t have a fuel levy on our rates,” Ricky said.

“My fuel prices have gone up about $300 to $400, and they went up overnight.”

Fuel price tracking data from the RACV showed diesel cost as much $2.45 a litre in some parts of Melbourne on Sunday.

Originally published as Victorian truckies talking to state government about potential strike next week