TWU URGES NSW GOVT CLASSIFY TRANSPORT WORKERS AS ESSENTIAL

The Transport Workers’ Union of NSW (TWU) is urging the state government to broaden its definition of essential workers to include those in critical transport sectors like buses, waste management and road freight.

In a submission to the parliamentary inquiry on Options for Essential Worker Housing in New South Wales, the TWU said the government must review how it defines essential work, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the government’s vague definition of what an essential worker is, employees from health, education, police, fire and rescue and justice are currently counted.

The TWU believes transport workers in buses, waste and road freight are essential in nature because of their fundamental role in keeping the economy of New South Wales functioning on a day-to-day basis.

The government’s recent budget included a $1000 cost of living payment, while transportation workers received nothing.

TWU NSW State Secretary Richard Olsen said there was disappointing lack of consideration toward transport workers who are the under appreciated backbone of NSW.

“Without trucks supermarkets would struggle to replenish their stocks, without garbage workers the streets of Sydney would pile high with waste and without bus drivers whole communities would be stranded without crucial public transport connections.”

“Despite bus drivers being considered essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic for their fundamentally important role, they have since been dumped and are now among the lowest paid in the country.”

“Decisions made by the previous Liberal-National NSW Government have left these crucial industries in a ruined state where conditions have gone backwards, pay has stagnated and workers have been left to pick up the pieces.”

“We applaud the NSW Labor government’s effort in supporting essential workers following the pandemic, and call on them to broaden this out to transport workers across the state.”

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