
Issue No 36		22 October 1999

News

Thirty Hours at the Wheel - Then Sacked for Complaining

A 32-year-old mother of two who was sacked from her job as a truck driver after complaining about driving for 30 hours in a 34 hour stretch has become the focus of the Transport Workers' safe driving campaign.


	Judith Penton Addresses Labor Council

TWU members blockaded Stramit Industries this week to highlight the plight of the woman, Melissa Jane Jones who was required to run steel between Orange, Molong, Cowra, Sydney and back to Orange.

When she declined about the hours and refused to pick up another run for Stramit, she was banned from delivering any more steel for Stramit and her job was terminated.

The TWU has now lodged a dispute over the matter with the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, arguing the work practises are in breach of health and safety laws.

TWU state secretary Tony Sheldon says these sort of working conditions should be illegal. "Not only are they in breach of every driving hour regulation, but they are forcing drivers like Melissa to risk their lives and the lives of all Australian road users just to make a living," Sheldon says.

With 62 per cent of all truck drivers saying they are working dangerous hours, the TWU is calling on the federal government to hold clients responsible for the demands they place on truckies.

The campaign has secured the backing of new Labor transport spokesman Martin Ferguson and the Association of Concerned Families of Australian Truckies.

Association chair Judith Penton told Labor Council that truckies' families lived in fear of being told their loved one had been involved in a fatal accident.

"In the transport industry clients consistently demand drivers meet impossible deadlines which mean they have no choice but to speed or spend more hours behind the wheel," Penton says.

"Clients have all the power and control in this industry and still they continue to deny they are ultimately responsible for what happens on our roads."

The TWU is planning further protests at the site of transport industry clients who force drivers or transport companies to put their lives on the line. They are planning a day of protest every month.

The TWU and CFAT will also hold a dual memorial service for truckies killed on NSW roads this Tuesday, October 26 in Grafton and Albury.

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Issue 36 contents

Interview: When Allï¿½s Not WEL
Suzanne Hammond explains how the federal governmentï¿½s decision to cut off funding to the Womensï¿½ Electoral Lobby wil impact on all women.

Republic: The Great Constitutional Swindle
In an upcoming book, Peter Botsman argues the blanding out of Australian consitutional history is one of the big barriers to the Republican cause.

Unions: Beaten by the Clock
Ron Callus from ACIRRT counts the social cost of increased working hours.

International: Pakistan Military Urged to Protect Workers' Rights
The ICFTU is urging General Pervez Musharraf, who yesterday seized power in a military coup, to take urgent steps to ensure a return to constitutional rule in the shortest possible time.

History: How the Cunning Fox Survived
Len Fox recently turned 94. He celebrated the event by sending out copies of his latest publication to friends; a booklet of his selected pencil and crayon sketches since 1925, with autobiographical commentaries.

Satire: Direct Electionists to Keep Voting No
Pro-direct election republicans who plan to vote ï¿½noï¿½ in the upcoming referendum have announced plans to extend their approach to every future election held in Australia.

Labour Review: What's New at the Information Centre
Read the latest issue of Labour review, a resource for union officials and students.

Review: Bowing down before Globalzilla
It is my experience that books that have the word "globalization" in the title should be avoided at all costs.

» Timorese Appeal to Democrats to Dump Reithï¿½s Wave

» Opera House Keeps New Years in the Family

» Stressed Out: The Incredibly Shrinking Lunch Break

» Kennett Fall a Warning to Carr

» Combet Steps Up To The Plate

» Thirty Hours at the Wheel - Then Sacked for Complaining

» Reithï¿½s Plan for Universities Exposed

» Hockey Sticks With the Banks

» Push to Downgrade Industrial Tribunals

» Peace Stalks the Gong as Matters Bows Out

» Rock the Republic - Itï¿½s Time