TWU Members at Border Express know all too well the safety shortcuts and bad practices their employer takes in search of profit – having been first-hand witnesses to Border Express’ poor safety record.
Members from Border Express told the TWU that they agree it’s time for a national agreement. The Union will stand by all workers in the pursuit of safety and better conditions. In 2026, the TWU will be fighting to make clients pay, set better sector standards, and become more member-led.
Border Express workers are to be commended for standing up for not only a better workplace, but a better industry. Border Express need to accept reality, work with the Union on a fair agreement, and play their role in stopping the race to the bottom.
– TWU NSW Secretary Richard Olsen
BORDER EXPRESS MUST STEP UP ON SAFETY
The 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 in October 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,” Richard 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.”
