Less hours means less money, warns DAVE SHEAF

I was at TNT's Kewdale yard recently for a barbie and presentation of awards to several TWU members but the occasion wasn't all hamburgers and onions.

Once awards were all handed out to the well deserving recipients the firm's new state manager Bromley Woton switched the agenda to SERIOUS!

And it was mostly bad news for the assembled troops.

They were told their hours would be cut when TNT moved its operation from Leach Highway to modernised premises in Welshpool.

The brand new 20,000 square meter building will be the biggest fully automated parcel-sorting system in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

That's great for TNT but less hours means less overtime, which means less money in our members' pay packet.

Not good for the majority of people who live week to week and budget mortgages and other living expenses on how much they earn.

Bromley Woton also told our members he has cancelled all leave for the period the move will occur. Between November and December!

He promised to work with employees and the union to lessen the impact of the reduction in hours.

TNT will encourage employees to buy vans and become owner drivers on piece rates.

This suggestion wasn't met with popular acclaim. Most don't see themselvesrunning small businesses. But money is money and attitudes may change once the numbers are crunched.

In the meantime TNT runs the strong risk of losing many of its experienced people.

It was only a year ago that all TNT vans carried posters on their back doors seeking drivers.

With another boom on its way the company may find itself back in the same boat. Time will tell.