But it's going to be a tough round of negotiations say MICK KNOWLES and RICK BURTON

Giacci Transport drivers are demanding large pay rises, as negotiations on a new enterprise agreement get underway.
However, we are not expecting hand outs with the firm's management already complaining they are operating in a tight market. Peter Giacci says the firm is tied into contracts that give him and his connections little wriggle room. He says any increases will have to come out of their pockets. Of course this sort of posturing is par for the course in our game and we are prepared to fight hard for a boost in pay rates.

We have held meetings at all Giacci depots and in all cases drivers are demanding higher wages.
A serious bone of contention is Giacci's discriminatory pay structure. It gives longer term employees a higher rate than those who have been on the books less than two-years. And even the long-termers get just over $19 per hour - plus award overtime rates.
The wage rates are boosted by guaranteed meal allowances of $20 per day and dust allowances of $10.50 per day.
These allowances are better than those paid by most comparative firms but the base pay rates are far too low.

We have met with our members at the firm's Picton, Naval Base, Geraldton and Moonyoonooka depots.
Geraldton workers, who have been hit by rocketing living costs in the town, are demanding a special higher rate for the region.

Moonyoonooka drivers are on a separate agreement. They are paid a flat rate of $27 per hour but want it lifted to $31.
We hope to be able to report successful outcomes in the next edition of The Wheel.

And congratulations to Giacci Bros and their drivers at Moonyoonooka for the achievement of an amazing accident free safety record.