POPULAR WORDS

August 6, 2010

Trucking companies should train their drivers on how to conserve fuel and reward them for doing so, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) says.

TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon is planning a new campaign in partnership with operators and trucking associations on fuel consumption practices.

He wants drivers to be taught techniques on how to reduce their environmental impact through fuel use.

“The way a driver operates the vehicle can make a large difference to fuel consumption, and that in itself is a cost saver and leads to a more sustainable road transport industry,” Sheldon says.

“At the same time, responsible employers should acknowledge the cost saving and reward drivers, and the TWU will be raising this issue in talks with companies over the coming months.”

The union will also push for a nationwide introduction of paid waiting times to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment and ensure all drivers are reimbursed for queuing to load or unload freight.

“The NSW government has introduced paid waiting times at Botany Bay and if this is rolled out across the country, it will have a large effect on the emissions from trucks,” Sheldon says.

“We have seen drivers who are not paid waiting times sitting in line for an extra 10 hours a week. That in itself contributes an extra eight tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.”

NSW Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay announced the introduction of paid waiting times at Port Botany earlier this year.

The reforms will take effect next month.

Stevedores will need to pay trucking operators $25 for every 15 minute delay, $100 if a slot is cancelled within two hours of the agreed access time or $50 if the slot is cancelled outside the two-hour timeframe.

Trucking operators will need to pay $50 for a late arrival and $100 if their trucks do not show up.

Sheldon announced the push for driver rewards during the International Transport Workers Federation’s (ITF) climate change conference in Mexico.

The ITF conference, which brings together 759 unions from 155 countries, agreed to develop measures to reduce emissions from the transport industry.


What do you think of the TWU’s driver training and reward proposal? Leave your thoughts below