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Blenners director dismisses TWU calls after crash

Statement claims union call for investigation is 'false allegation of wrongdoing'

 

Blenners Transport director Les Blennerhassett has brushed off Transport Workers Union (TWU) calls for an investigation into his company following the deaths of two of its drivers.

According to reports, two Blenners vehicles collided on the Kennedy Highway near Davies Creek on September 13, causing the double fatality.

Shortly after the incident, the Queensland branch of the TWU called for a “full investigation” into Blenners, claiming in a press release that the freight company had “a track record of poor fatigue management and placing undue pressure on drivers”.

It escalated its campaign against Blenners in a letter distributed on today to Queensland police commissioner Ian Stewart, Minister for Transport Mark Bailey, WHS deputy director Simon Blackwood, Department of Transport and Main Roads director Neil Scales and NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto enquiring if any investigations had commenced and seeking “explanation as to why an investigation has not begun, if that is the case”.

In the letter, the union queried if police had “entered Blenners’ premises or spoken to Blenners’ drivers since September 13 to investigate potential causes”, and sought “guarantees and protections … to Blenners’ drivers or staff in speaking to your organisation about work practices and any other matters which may help in an investigation”.

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When contacted, Blennerhassett says he has “no comment regarding the Union”, referring ATN to a “letter from us” sent to TWU.

That letter, via legal representatives, demanded the TWU withdraw its statement, claiming it was a false allegation of wrongdoing and it was “unjustified to apportion blame in circumstances when only the bare facts of the incident are apparent”, adding that the union’s action was “damaging” to Blenners and its “reputation and business interests” by referring to an earlier and unrelated case against the company.

Blennerhassett released a statement on Facebook in the aftermath of the accident mourning the deceased staff.

“Blenners Transport family lost two of our beloved team members. Our business is completely devastated, and are mourning the loss of two close friends; men of great integrity and spirit,” it said.

“We will continue to provide our support to the ongoing investigation to find the cause of this accident.”

Blenners Transport is accredited with TruckSafe, the National Heavy Vehicle Accreditation Scheme, and has WA Heavy Vehicle Accreditation.

 

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