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Saturday 11 March
[PDF version (30k)]
Transport Workers Union blockade of Sydney Harbour Bridge a sham protest
The TWU organized truck 'crawl' across Sydney Harbour Bridge tomorrow (Sunday) and clogging of Sydney's roads, is a sham to cover their own poor record in fixing unsafe driving practices by some truckies on Australia's roads.
The TWU are trying to block the proposed Independent Contractors Act. This is not about safety but union power. They are scared that the new Act will override their bullying powers under NSW industrial relations laws.
For too long the TWU have tried to shift the blame for truckies taking drugs, speeding, breaking the law over driving hours and causing road crashes and deaths. The TWU say truckies clients are to blame. What dangerous nonsense!
Everyone on our roads must obey the law. No one should be allowed an excuse. In trying to blame other people for the illegal behaviour of a tiny percent of Australia's truckies, the TWU puts road safety at risk.
The proposed Independent Contractors Act is intended to protect Australians rights to be self-employed against aggressive attacks against them by some state governments. NSW laws are the worst. The TWU just wants to protect their power to deny Australians basic rights to be their own boss.
If the TWU were serious about work and road safety they would demand money be spent on improving NSW bad roads, support reforms to NSW flawed OHS law and not try to shift blame for dangerous and illegal driving practices.
Independent Contractors of Australia insist that the proposed Independent Contractors Act not be compromised by the bullying of the TWU. ICA challenges the TWU to a debate on the Act.
A position paper on transport issues and the proposed Independent Contractors Act is available here.
The Executive Director of ICA, Ken Phillips, is available for comment.
Media contact: Don D'Cruz 0408 549 387
For a copy of the TWU's press release, click here [50k PDF].
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