All smiles: (L to R) TWU (Vic/Tas Branch) Organiser MemSuleyman, delegates Mario Schembri, Bill Dalton and James Bolton and TWU (Vic/Tas Branch) Organiser Wayne Commerford
Laverton North-based Scott’s Tankers members are feeling 12-per-cent better after reaching an in-principle wage deal with the company.
The EBA was inked following a hard-fought and intensive negotiation involving a strong and committed consultative committee of delegates Mario Schembri, Bill Dalton and James Bolton and TWU(Vic/TasBranch) organisers Mem Suleyman and Wayne Commerford.
On 1 April, drivers voted to acceptan immediate eight-per-cent pay increase along with a $2500 sign-on bonus. The rise will be followed by a further four-per-cent increase next year.
The membership also secured weekend rate increases, stronger union clauses and better overall conditions.
The EBA followed 15months of sometimes difficult negotiations.
Mem said the agreement was not onlya big victory for the Laverton-North members, but TWU (Vic/TasBranch) members across the entire fuel industry.
“We were united in our quest for a strong deal and we got it. Throughout the negotiations members could have easily given up and accepted sub-standard offers from the company,” Mem said.
“Much to everyone’s credit we stood together and pushed ahead with our claims for a better deal. We congratulate the members and Mario, Bill and James for their resilience throughout the negotiations, their workplace is a better place for it.”