The owner-driver laws that the TWU has fought long and hard for are now fully operational and they will have a big impact upon how rates are negotiated in the future.
Now available from the TWU are:
• A TWU Information Booklet which gives you a comprehensive outline of the changes and your entitlements.
• A set of Guideline Rates which have been calculated using all the cost inputs of the new government model to be used in assessing safe and sustainable rates.
Up until now the TWU has regularly negotiated recommended minimum rates with the Transport Forum (representing transport firms) and these have been published monthly.
The new Guideline Rates recently published in the Government Gazette have been calculated on the operation of NEW VEHICLES.
However, the vast majority of our members do NOT operate new vehicles so we have decided to use the new cost modelling to set average age ‘INDUSTRY STANDARDS' for the most common vehicle categories.
These standards are based on the same vehicle age standards that we have always used in our negotiations on behalf of drivers.
In the vast majority of cases the new rates will be higher than the old rates. Some significantly higher.
This is because the TWU and fellow members of the Road Freight Transport Industry Council have worked extremely hard to ensure that all possible owner-driver cost inputs have been included.
We will now begin the difficult job of persuading hirers and their clients to pay the higher rates. And it will be a BIG job.
Contrary to what some people may think the new rates will NOT be implemented automatically.
The new laws stipulate that negotiations must occur and the conditions under which they must be conducted (Read our booklet).
And that is where the TWU comes in. The Act allows groups of owner-drivers to appoint us as their bargaining agent and for us to bargain collectively - legal rights we didn't have previously.
This process will be ongoing and it will stretch our resources considerably. Our staff are all hard working people like you and we are constantly fighting for better rates.
In the meantime, if you would like to discuss the new rates please feel free to call us on 1800 657 477. You will be put in touch with someone who can assist you.
Jim McGiveron
State Secretary
Owner Driver Information Booklet
TIPPER DRIVERS: Please note we are in the process of negotiating a set of rates for the tipper industry based on the new guideline rates and they will be available shortly.
Please contact the union office on 1800 657 477 and a copy of the rates will be posted to you as soon as they are available.
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