What you need to know:
The Orders made by the IRC came into effect on 18 April. The TWU will be reviewing the Temporary Fuel Surcharge with the courts on a monthly basis to make sure you are not going backwards.
The TWU took this action in the IRC to protect small businesses in the transport industry operated by owner-drivers. It is you as transport workers who are copping the costs of getting the job done. We know that contracts are generally not changing to meet higher fuel costs.
This action contributes to the security and wellbeing of your future. Costs are always increasing, fuel costs have added to the financial pain caused by other costs that are always on the increase including Transurban toll road costs, insurance costs, maintenance costs and more.
Federal Govt Failure
The Federal Government have failed you, they might have reduced the fuel excise but they neglected to mention that in the recent Federal Budget they had hidden the removal of the fuel tax credit scheme. This means zero benefit to any owner-drivers trying to recover their fuel costs. It’s highway robbery for owner-drivers and transport operators.
Effectively, this Government sat on its hands and provided no relief to your small business. Ongoing proof that the current Federal Government is continuing to ignore the problems in our industry.
Scott Morrison and his Minister for Transport, Barnaby Joyce have had a chance to do something worthwhile for owner drivers and transport operators. Instead they have again failed miserably to act decisively to provide relief for the social, economic and contracting pressures which make transport Australia’s deadliest industry.
General Carriers Contract Determination
Since 1984 the TWU has been in the fight for the rights afforded to owner-drivers under the NSW General Carriers Contract Determination (GCCD). The GCCD has enabled thousands of Owner Drivers who are running small businesses, to have what amounts to an award underpinning their work, which ensures for cost recovery and promotes safe systems in the workplace.