A delegation of 30 individuals consisting of truck drivers, rideshare drivers, food delivery riders, transport operators, employers, and associations, organized by the Transport Workers Union (TWU), convened at Parliament House to urge parliamentarians to pass transport reform.
The delegation will share the urgency of passing lifesaving reform to set fair, safe and sustainable standards in transport after 60 people have died in truck crashes this year alone.
According to TWU, Truck driver John Waltis will share the devastation of 1500 Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics workers who recently lost their jobs to the company’s collapse, while FedEx owner-driver Tony Matthews will update on the operator’s attempt to move into a dangerous gig model.
Yavuz Cikar, the uncle of a food delivery rider tragically killed in 2020 will talk of the family’s grief and the denial of any compensation because of loopholes denying gig workers rights to workers’ compensation.
According to TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine, it is crucial for Federal Parliament to listen to the first-hand experiences of both workers and employers regarding the challenges of working in an industry that is currently in crisis.
“Just this year, transport has suffered devastation after devastation. There are now 60 families grieving for loved ones killed in truck crashes, while 2000 more face the prospect of losing their jobs to the collapse of operators under unsustainable strain,” he said.
“This year has also seen wealthy supply chain clients reaping enormous half-year profits. These are profits reaped from the razor-thin margins of transport operators, piling deadly pressure on workers and causing thousands to lose their jobs to administration.”
Kaine emphasized the need for safe, fair, and sustainable standards to bring stability to transport supply chains, alleviate pressure, and promote the long-term viability of this essential industry.
“We’re here in Canberra to share these stories with decision-makers who will be asked to pass lifesaving reform later this year,” he said.
“The evidence of these firsthand stories, and the unity of this unlikely group should ring a determination in politicians to push through regulation without hesitation or delay.”