FedEx workers in Botany, with the support of the Transport Workers’ Union, stopped working over safety issues yesterday
In an unprecedented move, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) has announced that FedEx workers at the Botany yard have taken a united stand by ceasing safe work yesterday morning.
The TWU says the action comes as a direct response to mounting safety concerns that have gone unaddressed, jeopardizing the well-being of the employees.
Following the failure to properly mitigate the risks of a manager bypassing minimum safety checks prior to operating a forklift on site, the union says workers were left with no alternative but to cease unsafe work to emphasise the urgency of their demands.
The workers, supported by their Health and Safety Representative, as well as the TWU, urge FedEx management to engage in meaningful dialogue alongside Comcare to resolve these concerns promptly.
The workers are confident that through open communication, a mutually beneficial solution can be reached, ensuring the safety and satisfaction of all parties involved.
The FedEx Botany site services the Sydney CBD and surrounds and will impact residential and commercial deliveries following the long weekend, with updates to follow.
“The safety concerns raised by the employees at the Botany facility are strongly rooted in the belief that we all hold in the union movement: a safe work place is essential for every individual. Despite repeated attempts to engage in dialogue with the management, their concerns regarding safety measures and protocols being disregarded have fallen on deaf ears,” TWU NSW/ QLD state secretary Richard Olsen says.
“By ceasing unsafe work, we are making it clear that their lives and well-being cannot be compromised.
“These FedEx workers are an essential part of the company’s success. Their commitment and dedication to their work deserves to be met with a reasonable commitment to their safety and well-being.”
“The solidarity shown by the workers in Botany demonstrates the urgency and seriousness of the situation. The company must take swift action to address these concerns, ensuring that the necessary safety measures are implemented to guarantee a secure working environment.”