August 23, 2021 TWU
NATIONAL TOLL TRUCKIES TO STRIKE FRIDAY AS CRISIS TALKS COLLAPSE
Thousands of truck drivers will strike for 24 hours this Friday after Toll refused to withdraw its attack on jobs, rights and entitlements at crisis talks today.

The TWU again appealed to Toll to provide workers with job security provisions and abandon plans to engage an underclass of lower paid truck drivers, but Toll refused to budge, triggering mass strikes and disrupting food and fuel supplies this weekend. 

On Thursday, workers voted 94% in favour of taking action to fight for their jobs. The successful ballot gives around 7000 transport workers protection under the Fair Work Act to walk off the job.

In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, Toll aims to drive down labour costs by scrapping overtime entitlements and engaging outside drivers on minimal pay and with fewer rights.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said it is disappointing Toll is forging ahead with its attack on jobs, leaving workers no choice but to withdraw their labour after months of failed talks.

“Toll workers have been forced to take the last resort option to go on strike this week because their jobs are being smashed. To do nothing would be to wait like sitting ducks for the jobs they’ve skilfully done for decades to be given away to the lowest common denominator. If workers had accepted this today, their jobs could have been contracted out moments after signing on the dotted line.

“It is an abomination that billionaire retailers like Amazon are smashing profit records while ripping off transport supply chains and crushing the jobs of the truck drivers who’ve risked the health of their families to deliver parcels and keep shelves stocked.

“Toll workers need guarantees that they won’t be sliced and diced Qantas-style and replaced by a cut-price, underemployed workforce. They don’t want to go on strike, especially during a pandemic, but they must because they have everything to lose,” he said.

TWU NSW/Qld Secretary and lead Toll negotiator Richard Olsen said Toll management made no effort to prevent strikes and refused to provide workers the job security they need.

“Toll’s behaviour is reprehensible. The transport giant is responsible for two crises at the same time: a cruel attack on good, safe transport jobs, and mass disruption to food and fuel supplies. Both of these disasters would have been fixed today if Toll had taken a reasonable approach and backed down on plans to trash jobs and drag down standards in Australia’s deadliest industry.

“While we implore Toll to fix this, none of it would be happening if the Federal Government had the right regulation in place to ensure transport supply chains are adequately funded by wealthy retailers, manufacturers and oil companies at the top,” he said.

Attacks on job security are widespread in the transport industry, with a further 6,000 transport workers due to vote on strike action at StarTrack and FedEx this week and next.

TWU strike action has never and will never disrupt medical supplies or vaccines.

Other key facts:

TWU NSW is suing Toll in the NSW Supreme Court for more than 5,000 late payments to owner truck drivers which could result in penalties of up to almost $52 million.
Toll recently reported a huge jump in revenues during the pandemic, $6.3 billion from $4.7 billion in 2020. But its transport costs also ballooned highlighting the tight margins transport companies are forced to operate under by major retailers, manufacturers and oil companies through their low-cost contracts. Worker wages and benefits at Toll decreased this year also while the company has been forced to write down the sale of Toll Express to Allegro.
Retailers globally have boomed since the pandemic hit with Amazon announcing profits up 224% to $US8 billion in just the last quarter. Bunnings’ revenue grew 24.4% to $9 billion in the six months to December 2020.
The TWU has filed claims on 50 retailers operating in Australia demanding that they lift standards to ensure fairness and safety in transport.
The Federal Government tore down an independent tribunal five years ago which was investigating risks to safety in road transport caused by a financial squeeze on transport by wealthy retailers like Amazon and Aldi. Since then, 205 truck drivers have been killed.

Hi Sir White,

see a video here:
https://www.bitchute.com/video/0yn0COw12chS/

WARNING! Graphic trucker language.

Amazon profits up 224%

Interesting

Amazon the owner of the Washington Post
A left-wing media source that is always pushing for lockdowns

Who would have thought that Amazon would profit from demolishing small shops and shopping malls through brutal lockdowns ;D ;D ;D ;D

One would almost think that big government is in bed with the world's richest man who owns Amazon
To try to keep these lockdowns going to maximize his profits

Who would have guessed ::) ::) ::)

The same lockdowns that saw huge job losses and business failures?

Jovial Monk wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 7:35am:

The same lockdowns that saw huge job losses and business failures?

Can you not read numpty

Amazon's profits are up 268%
Netflix is up to double
Facebook
eBay
Menulog
Microsoft
Pfizer
Their profits are through the roof

The business failures are in small businesses they have no political influence
Big Business is loving a lockdown
Because McDonald's and Bunnings don't get lockdown
They get lots of extra customers
As politicians demolish all the small businesses

Disgusting reprehensible stuff

So you cannot make or refute a simple point.

If lockdowns cause all these business failures, economies destroyed and job losses how can it be that Amazon profit is zooming?

You are a chode.

I don't think it is possible for me to interact with someone who is quite that retarded

Cheering on Amazon as the future of business :'( :'( :'( :'(

As I said, can’t make or refute a simple point.

Where did I cheer for Amazon?

It is obvious that lockdowns have not done the damage you said they did.

Clearly, nobody will ever call you an intellectual! Well, Booby might.

As to the future of business that is clearly moving to online and the COVID epidemic has hastened that trend. Because of COVID working from home is now established and big companies are relishing the reduction in rent on office space.

"In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, Toll aims to drive down labour costs by scrapping overtime entitlements and engaging outside drivers on minimal pay and with fewer rights."

Then why is the assault on Toll drivers and not on the scabs being body hired by AF and others?  why is AmazonFlex being allowed to operate if they are outside the rules?  Corporate vultures and parasites and profit over lives and livelihoods.

WE DON'T WANT THEM HERE!

Why have governments not mandated minimum wage rights as allegedly covered in workplace agreements and regulations?

Howard's Way - that little worm installed this vicious form of 'management' for the ends of his greedy mates, and couldn't give one damn about the truckies driven to the wall financially and/or killed on the roads trying to meet unrealistic demands, or facing starvation for not accepting these filthy pay rates, or facing financial ruin if they do.

Lose-lose for those at the coal face while some arsehole pockets billions.

Jovial Monk wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 8:56am:

As I said, can’t make or refute a simple point. Where did I cheer for Amazon? It is obvious that lockdowns have not done the damage you said they did. Clearly, nobody will ever call you an intellectual! Well, Booby might.

Obviously Jeff Bezos didn't send a memo to the world ordering the lockdown, but are you totally prepared to rule out Amazon and the tech companies that have benefitted greatly during the lockdown haven't used their considerable influence to enhance policies that will benefit their business?

While idiots are carrying on about being locked down and vaccinated, some are struggling to continue to put bread on the table, and are having to confront not only companies with deep pockets, but also government with its endless pockets earned from the same people it is opposing.*

As usual, it is the luxury run that counts more than the dirty unwashed working stiff.

Talk about a society that claims to be 'classless' - don't make me laugh.  Every jumped-up fool who thinks he or she is something better imagines that they know everything and should rule everything.

We need a complete change of our government style (governance).

* The instruments of the State must never be permitted to side with one single group over another - I blame the feminists for starting this rot of preference for special interest groups and making it 'the norm'.  You?  Look at what subordinating the instruments of the State to personal capitalism has done to China.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 1:56pm:

While idiots are carrying on about being locked down and vaccinated, some are struggling to continue to put bread on the table, and are having to confront not only companies with deep pockets, but also government with its endless pockets earned from the same people it is opposing.* As usual, it is the luxury run that counts more than the dirty unwashed working stiff. Talk about a society that claims to be 'classless' - don't make me laugh.  Every jumped-up fool who thinks he or she is something better imagines that they know everything and should rule everything. We need a complete change of our government style (governance). * The instruments of the State must never be permitted to side with one single group over another - I blame the feminists for starting this rot of preference for special interest groups and making it 'the norm'.  You?  Look at what subordinating the instruments of the State to personal capitalism has done to China.

I've personally noticed a persons opinion on lockdown reflects their personal position. Govt employees working from home still clocking up holiday time, super, long service leave, oh those selfish protesters they don't think of anyone except themselves. All perspective, innit? 

Gordon wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 2:04pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24th, 2021 at 1:56pm: While idiots are carrying on about being locked down and vaccinated, some are struggling to continue to put bread on the table, and are having to confront not only companies with deep pockets, but also government with its endless pockets earned from the same people it is opposing.* As usual, it is the luxury run that counts more than the dirty unwashed working stiff. Talk about a society that claims to be 'classless' - don't make me laugh.  Every jumped-up fool who thinks he or she is something better imagines that they know everything and should rule everything. We need a complete change of our government style (governance). * The instruments of the State must never be permitted to side with one single group over another - I blame the feminists for starting this rot of preference for special interest groups and making it 'the norm'.  You?  Look at what subordinating the instruments of the State to personal capitalism has done to China. I've personally noticed a persons opinion on lockdown reflects their personal position. Govt employees working from home still clocking up holiday time, super, long service leave, oh those selfish protesters they don't think of anyone except themselves. All perspective, innit?

That's one group - spoke to an internet provider bloke yesterday with his kids in the background.  No Problem-o. Work's gotta be done.

Where do these protestors find the time for all this nonsense?

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 11:44am:

"In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, Toll aims to drive down labour costs by scrapping overtime entitlements and engaging outside drivers on minimal pay and with fewer rights." Then why is the assault on Toll drivers and not on the scabs being body hired by AF and others?  why is AmazonFlex being allowed to operate if they are outside the rules?  Corporate vultures and parasites and profit over lives and livelihoods. WE DON'T WANT THEM HERE! Why have governments not mandated minimum wage rights as allegedly covered in workplace agreements and regulations? Howard's Way - that little worm installed this vicious form of 'management' for the ends of his greedy mates, and couldn't give one damn about the truckies driven to the wall financially and/or killed on the roads trying to meet unrealistic demands, or facing starvation for not accepting these filthy pay rates, or facing financial ruin if they do. Lose-lose for those at the coal face while some arsehole pockets billions.

Quote:

scrapping overtime entitlements

Very popular management move these days.

One would think that Don't pay overtime = don't work overtime. I don't think that is what they mean though ?

Gordon wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 2:04pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24th, 2021 at 1:56pm: While idiots are carrying on about being locked down and vaccinated, some are struggling to continue to put bread on the table, and are having to confront not only companies with deep pockets, but also government with its endless pockets earned from the same people it is opposing.* As usual, it is the luxury run that counts more than the dirty unwashed working stiff. Talk about a society that claims to be 'classless' - don't make me laugh.  Every jumped-up fool who thinks he or she is something better imagines that they know everything and should rule everything. We need a complete change of our government style (governance). * The instruments of the State must never be permitted to side with one single group over another - I blame the feminists for starting this rot of preference for special interest groups and making it 'the norm'.  You?  Look at what subordinating the instruments of the State to personal capitalism has done to China. I've personally noticed a persons opinion on lockdown reflects their personal position. Govt employees working from home still clocking up holiday time, super, long service leave, oh those selfish protesters they don't think of anyone except themselves. All perspective, innit?

Quote:

All perspective, innit?

NO.

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 11:44am:

"In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex,

THAT is what it's all about. All the logistics companies are worried about Amazon undercutting them with their gig economy structure of amazonflex.

It has nothing to do with horseboys anti left bullshit

John Smith wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 7:17pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24th, 2021 at 11:44am: "In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, THAT is what it's all about. All the logistics companies are worried about Amazon undercutting them with their gig economy structure of amazonflex. It has nothing to do with horseboys anti left bullshit

Point is, the undercutting comes out of the drivers, not the corporation.  That's why aquascoot has come out out on the Light Side this time, and that's why it's 'leftie' ... he can see clearly that the assault on one set of contractors will inevitably flow on to all contractors if such rapacious corporations are allowed to do this.

Are you defending the idea that AmazonFlex has some right to do this?

How many people have died due to cutting costs in the transport industry?  How many have been driven to the wall and bankrupted by this kind of rapacious practice?  How many un-roadworthy trucks will this create, given that the contractors will have to cut costs somewhere... often it is in maintenance...often it is in fudging sleep while driving a forty ton monster....

How many people have to die before governments enforce their own rules on minimum remuneration for a workplace agreement and proper payment for provision of equipment etc?

If that's 'leftie' - count me in!

Dnarever wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 6:33pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24th, 2021 at 11:44am: "In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, Toll aims to drive down labour costs by scrapping overtime entitlements and engaging outside drivers on minimal pay and with fewer rights." Then why is the assault on Toll drivers and not on the scabs being body hired by AF and others?  why is AmazonFlex being allowed to operate if they are outside the rules?  Corporate vultures and parasites and profit over lives and livelihoods. WE DON'T WANT THEM HERE! Why have governments not mandated minimum wage rights as allegedly covered in workplace agreements and regulations? Howard's Way - that little worm installed this vicious form of 'management' for the ends of his greedy mates, and couldn't give one damn about the truckies driven to the wall financially and/or killed on the roads trying to meet unrealistic demands, or facing starvation for not accepting these filthy pay rates, or facing financial ruin if they do. Lose-lose for those at the coal face while some arsehole pockets billions. Quote: scrapping overtime entitlements Very popular management move these days. One would think that Don't pay overtime = don't work overtime. I don't think that is what they mean though ?

Nah - they want all hours paid at the same rate - the normal rate - so if you work 100 hours a week you still only get $24.50 for each hour worked.

Pure parasitism and clearly the ultimate aim of Howard and his possum-breathed ways... that's what they were aiming for all along.. and still are.

Pity Labor is so welded to its ridiculous minorities and women BS - no real alternative there.

Local council elections are coming up - working with a group to install Independents and boot out all Parties.... their ideologies have no place in managing the utilities for local government paid for by local people. We are just not interested in Labor, Liberal or National or Greens BS.... we want the Council that does the job!!

Power To The People NOW!

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 25^th, 2021 at 1:29am:

Are you defending the idea that AmazonFlex has some right to do this?

is that directed at me? If so how the hell do you get that from my comment?

John Smith wrote on Aug 24^th, 2021 at 7:17pm:

Grappler Truth Teller Feller wrote on Aug 24th, 2021 at 11:44am: "In a bid to compete with exploitative business models like AmazonFlex, THAT is what it's all about. All the logistics companies are worried about Amazon undercutting them with their gig economy structure of amazonflex. It has nothing to do with horseboys anti left bullshit

I get it - you are agreeing that this is a problem, and you are not supporting the idea of wolf warrior business here in our Sacred Land.  The way you were expressing it I read it as a good thing to confront the other business in order to bring down costs.

Do a Taliban on 'em - you've got one month to get out and then it's curtains...

MORE TRUCKIES PREPARE FOR STRIKES OVER CRUSHING PRESSURE ON TRANSPORT JOBS  August 24 2021 TWU.
The crisis in trucking has deepened as thousands more transport workers prepare to fight back attacks to their jobs with strike applications at Linfox and Bevchain. The company proposals echo those at Toll, StarTrack and FedEx which would allow work to be outsourced and introduce a lower paid, insecure workforce.

There are now more than 15,000 truck drivers heading towards strikes after talks broke down between TWU members and five major transport companies over a push from transport operators to engage lower paid, insecure workers. The attack on jobs comes amid crushing pressure to cut rates from wealthy retailers, manufacturers and oil companies along with the competitive threat from Uber-style exploitation at AmazonFlex.

Today the Fair Work Commission will receive applications from workers at Linfox and Bevchain to hold votes take industrial action if companies refuse to abandon their threats to job security.  This would involve more than 2000 workers in the food and alcohol supply chains serviced by Linfox and Bevchain.

A 24-hour strike involving 7,000 Toll workers is planned for this Friday after the company refused TWU’s calls to abandon a proposal which would decimate good, permanent jobs by bringing in new employees on precarious, short-term contracts and outside hire on lower pay. On Tuesday, 2,000 StarTrack workers began voting on taking action, while a ballot for 4,000 FedEx workers opens next week.

A critical dispute at both Linfox and Bevchain is the proposed introduction of a second-grade workforce on lower pay and conditions which would ultimately squeeze out the jobs of current workers. Toll withdrew a similar proposal after workers voted 94% in favour of strikes. Further attacks on wages at Linfox and Bevchain include shift changes and a refusal to allocate work to permanent employees before outside hire.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said transport workers are doing whatever they can to fight for good, safe jobs while the Federal Government remains silent.

“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. 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.

“While the Federal Government remains a tight-lipped bystander, transport workers are exercising their flawed industrial rights to try to keep supply chains from imploding.

“Transport is facing a tsunami of underemployment. Wealthy retailers, manufacturers and oil companies are literally raking in the billions while shaving costs off the movement of their goods around the country. The impact of this has been an undercurrent in transport for years, and now a deadly swell has arrived.

“Transport companies are under pressure from a constant squeeze on rates from the likes of Amazon and Aldi, but rather than facing off the cost-cutting to ensure the work can be done safely and viably, they’re passing the buck onto workers through attempts to replace decent jobs with an insecure workforce.

“It is no coincidence that workers across several major transport companies are facing the same attacks. This should be a wake-up call to the Federal Government about the crisis in trucking that workers warned was occurring,” he said.

Retailers globally have boomed since the pandemic hit with Amazon announcing profits up 224% to $US8 billion in just the last quarter. Apple said its profits have more than doubled to US$23.6 billion while Aldi’s annual revenue in 2019 was $US109 billion.

The TWU has filed claims on 50 retailers operating in Australia, demanding they lift standards to ensure fairness and safety in transport.

The Federal Government tore down an independent tribunal five years ago which was investigating risks to safety in road transport caused by a financial squeeze on transport by wealthy retailers like Amazon and Aldi. Since then, 205 truck drivers have been killed.

If a company gets to contract casuals at a lower rate of pay to drive company trucks - how is any independent contractor to ever be able to offer a competitive rate that pays its way?

Cutting wages in a company should not impact on such things as roadworthiness of vehicles - but it will sure impact on the contractor with truck who has to take a lower offer or starve.... and will inevitably go bust anyway and pretty soon.

Nah - this industry needs full and proper regulation over its industrial relations and such, and enforcement of minimum rates and conditions.

Howard's grandfather was on the Western Front in WWI - the Krauts missed him.  Bloody Useless Krauts...