TNT faces disruptions across Australia after TWU vows to begin strikes and bans against the company
January 25, 2011
TNT Express faces mass disruptions across Australia after the Transport Workers Union vowed to strike against the company and impose indefinite bans on loading and unloading vehicles.
Negotiations on a new enterprise bargaining agreement have broken down between both parties, leading the union to resort to industrial action to get its way.
A series of four-hour stoppages across Australia will begin on Friday, while the ban on loading and unloading will be imposed on outside hire companies at all TNT sites on Saturday.
The TWU is fuming over TNT’s decision to exclude a site rate for permanent, casual and labour-hire staff and a refusal to establish a safe rates committee within the company to oversee unsafe work practices.
“The company wants to keep its head in the sand by not allowing a reporting structure that can expose unsafe working practices of those carrying their contracts and the contracts of their clients,” TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon says.
“TNT has also refused to negotiate an increase in superannuation above the government-mandated 9 percent per annum.”
Sheldon says the trucking company needs to be flexible on superannuation but has so far declined to do so. He says 88 percent of union-affiliated TNT workers voted in favour of a strike.
“On the whole, employees at TNT are outraged with the management’s attitude,” Sheldon says.
TNT says its offer of a 4 percent annual wage increase under the two-year agreement is fair and reasonable.
While not providing details, it claims in a statement its offer of redundancy payments and leave arrangements are also generous.
TNT Managing Director Bob Black claims the company stands to lose $10 million annually if it gives into union demands.
“Such costs are not sustainable and would put pressure on TNT’s viability within Australia,” he says.
Sheldon has also criticised TNT over its handling of the recent flood crisis across Australia, claiming the company deducted pay from workers who were unable to attend work after rising waters cut roads and damaged property.
“This is the dictionary definition of kicking someone while they’re down and it can’t be tolerated while other transport companies are helping their staff,” he says.
The union last month negotiated a 12 percent pay rise over three years for Linfox workers, including an agreement from the operator to lift superannuation to 15 percent.
ATN has contacted TNT for comment.