Truckies threaten two-week strike

Kat · 25-07-2008, 20:58

Truckies threaten two-week strike

5th July 2008, 11:15 WST

Truck drivers are threatening to bring the country to its knees with a two-week strike this month, partly over rising fuel prices, in a move that would stop the transport of food, petrol and consumer goods.

The Australian Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association predicted 80 per cent of drivers around the country would participate in the strike it had organised from July 28, including many fleet workers.

But the potential impact of the stoppage is in dispute, with the Transport Forum, an industry body representing both drivers and transport companies, claiming it was unlikely to be widespread.

Chief executive Ian King said local truck drivers had mostly been able to pass on the fuel cost increases to transport companies and other customers, and were enjoying a booming industry.

The full extent of the strike in WA depends largely on whether the local branch of the Transport Workers Union, which has about 10,000 members, decides to support the stoppage.

TWU spokesman Paul Aslan said a decision on the matter would be made next week, but the union was also considering a separate protest over fuel prices.

Association spokeswoman Lyn Bennetts said the response indicated there was majority industry support, well beyond the association’s 1000 members. But striking truckies would not set up blockades against those who decided not to participate.

Ms Bennetts said members were fed up with poor base rates and conditions and were struggling to make a living. She claimed there were thousands of bankruptcies of owner drivers every year and nearly 400 deaths in the industry annually.

The group has called on the Federal Government to drop its 38¢ fuel excise and it wants transport companies to pay $2.54 per kilometre in a new payment system that would add hundreds of dollars to the weekly wage.

“This strike will grind the country to a halt,” Ms Bennetts said.

Association WA president Peter Swift claimed fuel levies in truck drivers’ contracts had failed to fully pass the skyrocketing cost of fuel, following a 55¢ increase in the price of diesel in the past six months.

The Sustainable Transport Coalition said the impact of a big strike should not be underestimated. Deputy convener David Worth said the truck stoppage which lasted several days during the Kalgoorlie fires late last year had nearly closed the town down.

He claimed Australia could grind to a virtual halt if the stoppage was widespread, with most supermarkets and service stations holding only a few days stock.

Mr Worth said similar protests and strikes were being staged by truck drivers around Europe and the US.

KIM MACDONALD
Taken from utez.com.au

so wat does ever think of this?

I only found out due to my other half working at the meat works n being told they may not be at work for two weeks due to trucks not gonna be going.

BeautUtes

Choppa · 25-07-2008, 21:24

It's happening over here in Perth on the 28 th July

Biscuit · 26-07-2008, 08:08

My work is affected by it. It means that some of our stock wont be coming in next week and maybe the week after.
I am in support of the truckies and agree something needs to be done but it is going to make my life a little stressful over the next little while having to explain to customers why I cant supply them what they need (especially those who dont agree with the strike)

luxy · 27-07-2008, 19:23

In nsw it's only one day from what i'm told it's only mon the 28th

BeautUtes

Junkie · 27-07-2008, 20:31

its good to hear that the truckies are doing something to help us all in the long run, with lower fuel prices (hopefully).

Coota · 27-07-2008, 21:29

this is a strike we have to have for the good of all .
midnight tonight we stop (about time).

5LT of FURY · 28-07-2008, 12:09

go the truckies its about time they all stood up for themself if any othe of the australian industries was in this bad a state then them goverment would have thrown millions at them to help fix the problem....

WITHOUT TRUCKS AUSTRALIA STOPS!

KT · 28-07-2008, 14:43

Totally agree -

WITHOUT TRUCKIES THIS COUNTRY STOPS.

They have my full support, they have the courage to stand up to the government and for all australians.....

BeautUtes

Clarky · 28-07-2008, 14:44

I agree with what is happening across the country because it is true, "Without Trucks, Australia Stops"
I have a good mate that drives over east but he is one of the few as much as he is in support of the happenings that he can not afford to strike, he is on a kilomoter pay rate so the less he does the less he gets paid.

And i work for WA Freightlines and i dont think the situation is going thru us at all. I haven heard anything about it thru work anyways.

But good on ya guys n gals of the trucking industry you got my support to the end.

Kat · 28-07-2008, 16:29

i reckon if they all stopped for one day then something would happen but since theres still trucks goin then its not gonna do alot of damage as it should.

but as the saying says WITHOUT TRUCKS AUSTRALIA STOPS n its bloody true.

25-07-2008, 20:58	#1 (permalink)
Kat Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TWMBA Posts: 711 Rep Power: 3	Truckies threaten two-week strike Truckies threaten two-week strike 5th July 2008, 11:15 WST Truck drivers are threatening to bring the country to its knees with a two-week strike this month, partly over rising fuel prices, in a move that would stop the transport of food, petrol and consumer goods. The Australian Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association predicted 80 per cent of drivers around the country would participate in the strike it had organised from July 28, including many fleet workers. But the potential impact of the stoppage is in dispute, with the Transport Forum, an industry body representing both drivers and transport companies, claiming it was unlikely to be widespread. Chief executive Ian King said local truck drivers had mostly been able to pass on the fuel cost increases to transport companies and other customers, and were enjoying a booming industry. The full extent of the strike in WA depends largely on whether the local branch of the Transport Workers Union, which has about 10,000 members, decides to support the stoppage. TWU spokesman Paul Aslan said a decision on the matter would be made next week, but the union was also considering a separate protest over fuel prices. Association spokeswoman Lyn Bennetts said the response indicated there was majority industry support, well beyond the association’s 1000 members. But striking truckies would not set up blockades against those who decided not to participate. Ms Bennetts said members were fed up with poor base rates and conditions and were struggling to make a living. She claimed there were thousands of bankruptcies of owner drivers every year and nearly 400 deaths in the industry annually. The group has called on the Federal Government to drop its 38¢ fuel excise and it wants transport companies to pay $2.54 per kilometre in a new payment system that would add hundreds of dollars to the weekly wage. “This strike will grind the country to a halt,” Ms Bennetts said. Association WA president Peter Swift claimed fuel levies in truck drivers’ contracts had failed to fully pass the skyrocketing cost of fuel, following a 55¢ increase in the price of diesel in the past six months. The Sustainable Transport Coalition said the impact of a big strike should not be underestimated. Deputy convener David Worth said the truck stoppage which lasted several days during the Kalgoorlie fires late last year had nearly closed the town down. He claimed Australia could grind to a virtual halt if the stoppage was widespread, with most supermarkets and service stations holding only a few days stock. Mr Worth said similar protests and strikes were being staged by truck drivers around Europe and the US. KIM MACDONALD Taken from utez.com.au so wat does ever think of this? I only found out due to my other half working at the meat works n being told they may not be at work for two weeks due to trucks not gonna be going. __________________ "MUM AND DADS WORSE NIGHTMARE"

25-07-2008, 21:24	#2 (permalink)
Choppa Status: Exclusive Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: gosnells WA city Posts: 583 Rep Power: 3	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike It's happening over here in Perth on the 28 th July __________________ WE MAYBE OLD BUT WE STILL KNOW HOW TO PLAY HARD. ARE YOU READY TO RUMBLE RALLY TO DALLY

26-07-2008, 08:08	#3 (permalink)
Biscuit Status: Feral Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: South OF Brisbane - Happy Burgs :) Posts: 64 Rep Power: 2	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike My work is affected by it. It means that some of our stock wont be coming in next week and maybe the week after. I am in support of the truckies and agree something needs to be done but it is going to make my life a little stressful over the next little while having to explain to customers why I cant supply them what they need (especially those who dont agree with the strike) __________________ Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. Yes is the answer.

27-07-2008, 19:23	#4 (permalink)
luxy Status: Feral Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: where i fall or eglinton (bathurst) Posts: 72 Rep Power: 3	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike In nsw it's only one day from what i'm told it's only mon the 28th __________________ GET REAL GET A V8 KINGWOOO HOW THINK DO YOU DRUNK I'AM

27-07-2008, 20:31	#5 (permalink)
Junkie Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Warrandyte South, VIC Posts: 364 Rep Power: 1	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike its good to hear that the truckies are doing something to help us all in the long run, with lower fuel prices (hopefully). __________________ Don't Judge What You Don't Understand SAVE WATER DRINK BEER

27-07-2008, 21:29	#6 (permalink)
Coota Status: Feral Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: paralowie Posts: 68 Rep Power: 2	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike this is a strike we have to have for the good of all . midnight tonight we stop (about time). __________________ straight shooter

28-07-2008, 12:09	#7 (permalink)
5LT of FURY Status: Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The best bit of Tas down south Posts: 35 Rep Power: 0	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike go the truckies its about time they all stood up for themself if any othe of the australian industries was in this bad a state then them goverment would have thrown millions at them to help fix the problem.... WITHOUT TRUCKS AUSTRALIA STOPS! __________________ THE COPS NEVER THINK ITS AS FUNNY AS YOU DO!!!!!!!!

28-07-2008, 14:43	#8 (permalink)
KT Status: Feral Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Pakenham Posts: 158 Rep Power: 2	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike Totally agree - WITHOUT TRUCKIES THIS COUNTRY STOPS. They have my full support, they have the courage to stand up to the government and for all australians.....

28-07-2008, 14:44	#9 (permalink)
Clarky Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: From Vic, now in Perth, well near it anyway Posts: 485 Rep Power: 2	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike I agree with what is happening across the country because it is true, "Without Trucks, Australia Stops" I have a good mate that drives over east but he is one of the few as much as he is in support of the happenings that he can not afford to strike, he is on a kilomoter pay rate so the less he does the less he gets paid. And i work for WA Freightlines and i dont think the situation is going thru us at all. I haven heard anything about it thru work anyways. But good on ya guys n gals of the trucking industry you got my support to the end. __________________ "Dreams were won and lost under the Southern Cross" Friends come and go but i will always be here!! "Such is life" so NED would say LIFE'S TOO SHORT TO BE THROWN AWAY SO... Grab a friend and tell them how you feel about them.

28-07-2008, 16:29	#10 (permalink)
Kat Status: Beaut Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TWMBA Posts: 711 Rep Power: 3	Re: Truckies threaten two-week strike i reckon if they all stopped for one day then something would happen but since theres still trucks goin then its not gonna do alot of damage as it should. but as the saying says WITHOUT TRUCKS AUSTRALIA STOPS n its bloody true. __________________ "MUM AND DADS WORSE NIGHTMARE"