Some firms are now asking owner drivers to sign complex contracts that may include traps

When owner-drivers at Courier Please in Belmont were recently asked to sign detailed 20 page contracts many of them were unsure what to do. Courier Please had bought out Pep Transport earlier this year and there were always going to be some changes.
Quite a few of the drivers thought they were being given a sign or resign ultimatum and signed without seeking advice.

Before very long we began receiving calls from confused drivers wanting to know where they stood.
A meeting was held at the depot and we went through the contracts looking for anything that might cause detriment to our members. A letter was then shot off to the company outlining our concerns.

One glaring problem was the lack of a dispute resolution procedure outlining the rights of drivers should they be accused of a contract breach. As things stood their contract could be terminated on the spot and they'd have no say in the matter.
However the company was more than happy to include such a clause. They also had no objection to the TWU representing drivers involved in any kind of dispute.
And they agreed to cancel contracts prematurely signed by drivers and give them the opportunity to sign an amended version.
A good outcome for all concerned.