FedEx management says workers have been offered the largest wage increase in the logistics sector
Paused industrial action is restarting at FedEx today, with rolling four-hour stoppages from November 22 after talks broke down when the company refused to even consider a reasonable counter-offer put to them by workers, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) has stated.
The TWU is calling on FedEx to work cooperatively on a safe, secure and sustainable future which defends it against the threat of the ‘Amazon Effect’.
According to the TWU, workers brought what they believe is a fair solution to the table on November 17 which would provide their families with financial security sooner without adding costs to the company.
However, the union said FedEx management persisted with its refusal to provide an agreement offer which repays workers for their hard work and restraint during a record year of multibillion dollar profits for FedEx and its clients like Amazon and Apple.
Previously, FedEx workers had suspended industrial action after the company agreed to union meetings during paid time across the country. During those meetings, workers overwhelmingly endorsed taking further action to break the impasse with FedEx management taking orders from the US.
The TWU pointed out that FedEx is the only remaining major transport operator in Australia not to have reached an agreement with workers following settlement between TWU members and StarTrack on Friday.
FedEx, however, says the offer it announced would make the largest wage increase for workers in the logistics sector, a total of 9.25 per cent over three years. In addition, FedEx said it offered to increase superannuation during the three-year period, reaching 13 per cent in 2024.
“This is the most competitive offer made by any company in our sector, providing certainty on wage increases in the next three years at a time when external economic conditions are hard to predict,” FedEx Express Australasia vice president Peter Langley said.
“We are keen to conclude these negotiations and get these industry-leading increases passed on to employees quickly.”
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Michael Kaine (far right) joined the striking FedEx workers at the organisation’s Erskine Park depot in October.
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However, TWU national secretary Michael Kaine says FedEx workers came up against a brick wall when bringing its solutions to the table. He calls on FedEx to recognise its workforce as its biggest asset, not its enemy.
“FedEx management’s overzealous stubbornness is hurting working families, the public and its own business,” Kaine says.
“Industrial action is the only option left for workers facing a hostile international juggernaut fighting a losing battle based on warped ideology.
“Christmas is just around the corner, it’s time for FedEx management to redirect its energy on providing a viable, trusted service with a valued workforce at its heart.
“The threat of being undercut and overtaken by Amazon’s exploitative and expanding delivery network is exactly why FedEx should be working with union members to protect good transport jobs. FedEx needs to come back to the table, repay workers for their sacrifices and join forces to demand regulatory solutions to protect legitimate businesses working within the industrial system,” he says.
Read how things looked at the start of the month, here
Stop-work actions are planned across all states during the first three days of next week, starting with New South Wales and Western Australia on November 22. Victoria and Tasmania will follow on November 23, with Queensland and South Australia taking action on November 24.
The TWU says the workers will determine further industrial action on a rolling basis.
FedEx believes the “TWU strikes” come in a context of Australian retailers and small businesses already under pressure by supply shortages. It cites a recent Deloitte showing only 52 per cent of retailers expect that all their stock orders will arrive before the Christmas sales peak.
“These TWU strikes hit an industry in need of a holiday boost.”