TWU’S RICHARD OLSEN TO HEAD NEW TRANSPORT REFORM GROUP

Following the passage of Transport Reform, Transport Workers Union NSW/QLD State Secretary Richard Olsen has been appointed as one of the heads of the newly established Road Transport Advisory Group (RTAG).

The RTAG will lead consultation with workers, employers and industry groups on standards to inform the new Fair Work Commission Expert Panel on how best to make road transport ‘safe, sustainable and viable’.

He will lead the group alongside Australian Road Transport Industrial Organisation Secretary Peter Anderson after being ratified into the roles by Federal Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt.

Alongside his 8 years as secretary of the NSW branch, Olsen brings more than 25 years of experience in furthering the concerns and interests of transport workers.

The TWU has already filed the first-ever application to provide gig workers in food and ‘last mile’ parcel deliveries with a safety net on pay to ensure workers can recover their costs, earn a living wage, and be compensated for the intermittent, uncertain nature of their work. Owner drivers in last mile deliveries would have complementary standards under another application made by the TWU.

A further application from truck drivers under these new laws will call for fair payment terms in transport supply chains, preventing wealthy retailers, manufacturers and oil companies from passing financial risk onto operators and owner drivers on razor-thin margins.

Olsen said he was honored to take on this role with the RTAG.

“Our fundamental mission is to represent the voices of transport workers and push for fairer conditions across the industry. The power of this legislation is the industry consultation through the RTAG that will advise the expert panel on standards to ensure transport is not only safe and sustainable but also equitable for all road transport workers and businesses.”

“Road transport reform is about creating a fairer, more sustainable industry, with safe, secure jobs at its heart. The subcommittees, composed of key industry representatives, will tackle critical issues like gig economy exploitation and payment fairness throughout supply chains, ensuring that justice is delivered to all.”

“We’re focused on balancing the needs of businesses and workers by listening to all relevant voices. Over the next few months, the subcommittees will zero in on the most urgent challenges, such as fair payment terms and the rights of gig workers, to help build a safer, more just future for the industry.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Adam Jacobson – 0405 625 208 / adam.jacobson@twunsw.org.au