| Border Express have had another major diesel spillage for the second time in 12 months – this time shutting down both lanes of the Great Western Highway. More on this story below. Cash-In-Transit members from Armaguard and Prosegur are also voting on a Protected Action Ballot this week, which is sending a message to employers and importantly, to clients, that the race to the bottom will not be tolerated in this sector, nor will it be tolerated anywhere in transport. |
| We’ve been proud to host many members at the TWU once again this week, as many members joined us for Delegate Training and Delegates Meetings, including many delegates from Team Global Express and Linfox. We are now well and truly entering the 2026 campaign, and the delegates in yards across NSW will be playing a crucial role to ensure that we get better standards, better conditions, and are on a sure-footing for 2029 and beyond. It is the membership that makes our union strong, and as our many recent wins have shown, when we fight, we win. |
TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION CALLS FOR BORDER EXPRESS TO STEP UP ON SAFETY, AFTER SECOND DIESEL SPILL IN 12 MONTHS
he Transport Workers’ Union of NSW (TWU) is incensed that Border Express continues to employ sub-standard safety standards for their subcontractors, following the shutdown of the Great Western Highway at Leura yesterday due to a large diesel spill from a Border Express vehicle.
The incident, which led to hundreds of litres of diesel being spilt onto the road by the jack-knifed vehicle, required a HAZMAT crew from Fire & Rescue NSW to contain.
The incident is shockingly reminiscent of an incident TWU Officials witnessed at Border Express’ Chullora depot in late-2024, also resulting in hundreds of litres of diesel being spilt.
After an interstate trailer (towed by a contractor) drove into a medium barrier at the site, emergency services were onsite for hours to bring the situation under control.
TWU officials onsite that day were greatly concerned by the lack of safety procedures observed by the contractor responding to such a serious incident.
Delays and costs to the Border Express operations were significant, but could have been avoided if proper safety standards were implemented, and a more reputable carrier was utilised to move interstate freight.
Border Express Fleet operations in both local and linehaul are made up mostly of subcontractors – this makes it difficult to enforce high and needed safety standards in the most dangerous industry in Australia.
State Secretary Richard Olsen says that now is the time for Border Express to come to the table and admit that their business-as-usual operations aren’t working.
“When you cheap out on safety and cheap out on operators, it always comes to bite,” Mr Olsen said.
“Last year, the costs were on Border Express. This year, it shutdown both directions of the Great Western Highway. It’s only a matter of time until someone gets seriously hurt or worse.
“Border Express need to accept the reality that their business practices hurt drivers and hurt the wider community, and engage seriously in stopping the race to the bottom.”
