TWU TASSIE DELEGATES HAVE SAY IN CANBERRA
On 7 August TWU (VIC/TAS Branch) Delegates raised concerns with Tasmanian Senator Catyrna Bilyk about a lack of safe places and rest stops for trucks to pull over on Tasmania’s major highways.
The Sen. then wasted no time in taking the matter to Canberra, telling the Federal Senate on 16 August that “Tasmanian truck drivers are being treated as “second-class citizens”.
“Truckies spend long hours on the road transporting freight around the country and around the great state of Tasmania,” she said.
“The drivers were telling me, once they leave their depot, there is often nowhere to stop, and that’s just not good enough. To the federal and Tasmanian Liberal governments, our truck drivers are all but invisible.
“For decades, TWU members have been fighting for fair rates for truck drivers and safer roads for all Australians. I commend the union, and all its officials and delegates, for their commitment to this important cause.”
John congratulated Sen. Bilyk for taking up the cause for TWU members and all other road users.
“It is great that our workplace leaders have another working example of their own power, a few days after meeting the Senator these members are getting their say in Canberra. And it also shows all our members that real change can and does come from the grassroots up,” he said.
“This power will be crucial as the TWU ramp’s up our actions to Change the Rules and builds momentum towards 2020.”
Sen. Bilyk met up with our Delegates, along with TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine, Branch Secretary and TWU National Vice-President John Berger and Assistant Branch Secretary Chris Fennell, at a Delegates Training session in Launceston.
It goes to show these events are not only highly-educational but can shape the political agenda and stoke the fires of public debate.
#auspol #ausunions #SafeRates #taspol #tasunions
