Jobs are getting harder to get due to the economic downturn and the protection of our members jobs and wages is our NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

Concrete agitator driver Peter Cross (third from left) was sacked by Hanson Concrete in May because he signed a petition complaining about a company safety program. When our picture was taken Peter was on his way to the federal industrial court for an unfair dismissal hearing.

With him are a team of TWU industrial experts plus an organiser and three Hanson delegates. The TWU is doing everything in its power to get Peter's job back.

Peter, who is a lovely young bloke, had been with the firm for two months and was still on probation when Hanson's sacked him. This made him an easy target for dismissal and when a Hanson's manager was asked why Peter had been sacked, his arrogant reply was; "Because we can."

Peter Cross was given the boot because he had the temerity to join others in raising concerns about a 'compulsory' safety program. The Hanson driers have no problem with strict safety procedures and they are well aware of their duty of care when it comes to reporting safety hazards. They just didn't like aspects of the company scheme and wanted the TWU to become involved in improving it.

Peter's sacking did not go down well with his fellow drivers. All 83 of them - from all yards - turned up for an early morning meeting the next day to protest against the sacking.

The wheels of workplace justice grind slowly these days and Peter's case will now go to the Perth Magistrates Court.

There will be no backing off on this one. Stay tuned for updates.