After voting 99% in favour of industrial action last week, Victorian and Tasmanian cash-in-transit workers at Armaguard and Prosegur will take part in overtime and weekend bans, and 24-hour stoppages, as declining safety standards and unsustainable operating models in the industry reach crisis levels.
Victoria and Tasmania can expect major disruptions to cash deliveries, potentially affecting ATMs, banks and retail businesses, with negotiations breaking down between workers and cash handling companies following delays led by the banks on sustainable funding for the industry.
In February, the TWU made an application to the Fair Work Commission for banks, retailers and industry participants to ensure they each do their fair share to properly fund critical cash-in-transit services, which has led to a breakthrough on funding-but delays led by the banks have seen workers left with lagging pay after years of wage freezes.
Cash-in-transit is one of the most high-risk jobs in the transport industry, with dangers only increasing, led by significant contracting pressures from customers including the major banks. The TWU has called on all industry participants, including Armaguard, banks and retailers, to pay their fair share to fund decent jobs for workers and keep the cash-in-transit industry sustainable.
Cash-in-transit workers in Victoria and Tasmania will take part in overtime and weekend work bans from next week, followed by 24-hour work stoppages taking strike action to four full days, without a fair agreement. With strike action now imminent, cash shortages could soon impact revellers attending the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.
Cash-in-transit workers in NSW and QLD also recently voted in favour of industrial action, with discussions ongoing.
TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said:
"Cash-in-transit workers across the country have now overwhelmingly voted in favour of industrial action. They've gone to considerable lengths to try to safeguard this industry for the future-but now they need the banks, retailers and Armaguard to pay their fair share for decent jobs.
"Strike action is always a last resort, but over 500 workers have made it clear they need all industry participants to step up for a fair deal. They've done the heavy lifting in this industry and their pay has languished while the banks make billions.
"There is now a pathway forwards for the industry through the Albanese Government's transport reform laws – but these workers who play such a vital role in keeping cash going will be forced to take strike action without long-overdue pay rises and backpay."
TWU Victoria/Tasmania Director of Organising Sam Lynch said:
"Every dollar that reaches a shop counter or cash machine is because these workers get it there. When they stop, cash stops."
"It's time that cash handling companies Armaguard and Prosegur recognise the value of Cash-In-Transit workers and the risks they deal with every day on the job."
"We are fighting back against the big banks' efforts to create a cashless society."
