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Union targets TNT for next wages strike

TWU members will vote on a proposal to strike against TNT to secure higher wages and superannuation

December 3, 2010

After a nationwide strike against Australian Air Express, the Transport Workers Union has put TNT in its sights in a bid to secure higher wages and superannuation benefits.

The union will ballot its members to gauge support for a strike against TNT to pressure it into agreeing to a 12 percent pay rise over three years and a six percent increase in superannuation payments.

The TWU wants a 4 percent wage rise for each year of the proposed enterprise bargaining agreement and 2 percent each year for superannuation.

TNT faces crippling industrial action, with the TWU asking its members whether they support “periodic or indefinite bans on the loading and unloading of vehicles” used by contractors.

It is also balloting members to see if they support an unlimited number of stoppages from as low as four hours up to 48 hours.

The TWU wants TNT to ensure casual or labour hire workers are paid the same rate of pay as permanent staff.

It is currently negotiating new agreements with the likes of Toll, Linfox and K&S Freighters.

Following union-led strikes last month at its depots in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, AAE agreed to a 14 percent wage increase for workers over three years.

The TWU originally sought a 16 percent wage increase, but agreed to three lots of 4.5 percent and an extra 0.5 percent for the final three months of the agreement. Workers will receive the first 4.5 percent increase backdated to July 1 this year.

AAE also agreed to open its books to the TWU so it can scrutinise chain of responsibility systems and safety training programs.

TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon labelled the agreement a benchmark for future negotiations with freight operators.

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