A renegade group running a trucking shutdown is falsely accusing operators of sacking drivers in an attempt to shore up
A renegade group running a trucking shutdown is falsely accusing operators of sacking drivers in an attempt to shore up support for its actions.
The Australian Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association (ALDODA) is circulating an email claiming Queensland-based Nolan’s Transport and logistics giant Toll are guilty of stopping their drivers from taking part in a shutdown.
ALDODA’s Queensland president, Lyn Bennetts, says Toll forcibly removed drivers from their rigs and left them stranded in the middle of NSW after learning they wanted to join in protesting rising fuel prices and fatigue laws.
ATN contacted Toll for a response but it is still formulating a reply.
According to Bennetts, it was at the Clybucca meeting in NSW that Nolan’s sacked its driver.
In response, Nolan’s contacted ALDODA National President Bunny Brown demanding a retraction followed by a public apology because the company had not sacked anyone.
Nolan’s Business Manager Greg Jacques says the interstate carrier has given drivers time off this week to allow them to take part in the shutdown if they choose.
“We are not a company that bullies our staff,” Jacques says.
“I expect an immediate apology.”
Jacques also contacted ALDODA’s NSW organiser and found the group based its claim about Nolan’s on a crowd member who “thought” the carrier had taken action against a driver.
Nolan’s is yet to receive an apology despite Jacques also writing to Bennetts informing her of her mistake. In fact, Bennetts is using her discredited claims to launch a picket action against the company.
Toll is also being picketed against, with Bennetts claiming shutdown supporters voted “unanimously” to protest against the conglomerate over what she says is a trampling of drivers’ rights.
“Any company found sacking their drivers for wanting to join in the shutdown will be protested against by ALDODA in support of these drivers,” Bennetts says.
ALDODA began its national shutdown on July 28 and intends for it to run for two weeks. But drivers who attended the first day of the shutdown told ATN they will not stop for that long.