RSRT’s third annual work program includes investigations into a number of sectors of the trucking industry.
The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal (RSRT) will focus its attention on a number of sectors of the trucking industry in 2015.
The tribunal has finalised its third annual work program, which charts the areas the agency intends to focus on this year.
RSRT president Jennifer Acton says businesses involved in the supermarket chain, long distance operations, cash-in-transit, the oil, fuel and gas sectors, waste management transport and the wharf and ports sectors are on the tribunal’s list.
The final work program mirrors the draft document the RSRT released in December last year, but rejected a request for an investigation into driver pay and allowances.
“We are not persuaded we should separately identify the issues of allowances, superannuation, non-compliance and enforcement in the third AWP [annual work program],” Acton says.
“Such issues can be raised as part of the inquiry into the sectors we have otherwise identified, while recognising issues of non-compliance and enforcement are primarily the role of others, such as the Fair Work Ombudsman.”
Acton believes there is enough evidence to justify investigations into the sectors listed in the 2015 work program.
The RSRT is currently investigating the cash-in-transit sector. It has received an interim report and expects to receive a final report early this year.
Acton says the timetables for inquiries into individual sectors this year will be publicised to give interested parties the opportunity to make submissions, give evidence and take part in site inspections.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) and the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) support an investigation into waterfront practices. The union has also pushed hard for the cash-in-transit inquiry and for action against companies involved in oil, fuel and gas transport.
Following its investigations, the RSRT has the power to issue orders mandating terms and conditions if it believes doing so will improve road safety.