TWU state secretary Jim McGiveron recently attended a union protest in Canberra after statistics revealed there had been 287 truck related deaths in Australia in just one year.
A cross for every one of the deaths was set up in a mock graveyard on the lawns outside Parliament House
Jim said it was a very solemn occasion and a reminder to governments that safe sustainable rates are absolutely essential for our road freight industry.
They will help stop the rampant rate cutting that forces drivers to break fatigue laws and neglect truck maintenance.
One that note, there is good and bad news for those waiting on the release of the first set of model rates to be released under the WA Owner Drivers Act.
The good news is that the Road Freight Transport Industry Council, which has the job of developing the guideline rates, has been reinstated after a long delay.
The bad news is the guideline rates will not be available until well into the New Year.
However, state transport minister Simon O'Brien appointed a new eight member Council on October 21.
He said the hold up in the appointment of the new Council had been caused by a review of WA's boards, councils and committees.
And that the government was committed to "fostering a safer and more sustainable road freight transport industry."
The new Councillors began sitting again on November 23 and it looks to be all systems go. Most of the work has been done and the only real reason for a hold up will be getting required regulations through parliament.
The TWU is on the Council and we are applying as much pressure as possible.
However the wheels of government move slowly.
Still, they say the squeaky wheel gets the grease and if the process grinds to a halt again we won't just be squeaking - WE'LL BE DEMANDING ACTION!
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