Work program for next year focuses on completing current inquiries
The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal is planning to spend next year completing inquiries currently underway into various areas of the trucking industry.
The content of RSRT’s draft annual work program for 2016 echoes much of what is contained in year’s work program, namely inquiries into the waste management, wharf and port, cash in transit, and the oil, fuel and gas sectors.
“The draft proposes that the tribunal continues to inquire into those sectors identified in the third annual work program,” the RSRT says.
“In addition to this, it proposes to expand the inquiry into sectors in the road transport and distribution industry beyond operations related to supermarket chains.”
This includes the road transport and distribution sector and linehaul operations.
The draft work program for 2016 is currently open to feedback, with submissions due by December 8.
Following an inquiry the RSRT has the power to issue a road safety remuneration order if it believes doing so will improve road safety. The document may impose terms and conditions on a party or parties in a sector of the transport industry.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) earlier this month recommended the RSRT use 2016 to focus on completing its existing workload.
However, the union also asked the tribunal to look at practices in the courier and parcel delivery sector due to claims drivers were being exploited.
“After covering fuel, running costs, van repayments, tax and insurance many drivers are lucky to come out with $300-$400 a week,” TWU assistant national secretary Michael Kaine says.
“Starting work at 4am and working long hours means the pressure is intense. This is leading to safety issues and is putting drivers and the public at risk. It is a sector the tribunal must urgently investigate.”