Trade unionists across the State stand in absolute solidarity with thousands of Toll transport workers who are today walking off the job for 24 hours to resist the creation of a second tier of workers on inferior conditions.
Under Toll's proposed workplace agreement newly engaged workers will suffer worse conditions, including:
- Fixed term contracts for new employees;
- Incentives for the company to contract work out to lower paid workers;
- The global right to contract to outside companies up to 50% of all Toll work in each state;
- No requirement to allocate work to permanent Toll employees before casuals and labour hire; and
- No commitment to pay direct-hire owner drivers labour rates commensurate to employees.
The move by Toll coincides with the rise of AmazonFlex and the 'Uberisation' of the freight industry.
"Amazon and Uber are putting a wrecking ball through the transport industry, smashing the capacity of companies like Toll to offer decent jobs and wages. Yet the Federal Government is content to stand idly by and allow jobs and livelihoods to be demolished," said Mark Morey, Secretary of Unions NSW.
"Families and communities depend on the sort of solid employment Toll has historically provided. This is worth fighting for. We must stop Toll chasing Uber and Amazon in a race to the jobless bottom.
" Australians don't want to be dictated to by some algorithm from Silicon Valley. We want dependable jobs that can form the basis of families and communities.
"The entire trade union movement in New South Wales stands shoulder to shoulder with the TWU and the truckies of Toll who are taking a stand for decency."
