Higher pay will reduce fatalities

Nathan Paull | 20th November 2009

Deputy Mayor Gail Sellers, truck driver Frank Black, TWU organiser Larry Wilson and member for Gladstone Liz Cunningham discuss pay rates for truck drivers.

THE Transport Workers Union (TWU) stopped in Gladstone on its 1300km truck journey from Townsville to Brisbane to send local leaders a clear message – drivers need better pay and conditions to make the country’s roads safer.

The TWU met Member for Gladstone Liz Cunningham and Deputy Mayor Gail Sellers this week to garner support for its road safety campaign.

The TWU said there have been 53 heavy vehicle fatalities on Queensland roads and 281 people were killed in the transport industry in Australia last year.

TWU Queensland Branch Secretary Hughie Williams said a federal system of minimum rates of pay for truck drivers would help reduce the state and national heavy vehicle road toll.

Ms Cunningham told the union she would champion its cause in state parliament when the opportunity arose.

“It’s a public safety issue,” she said.

“Minimum rates of pay would mean drivers would have more financial security and not have to work as many hours to make ends meet.”

Cr Sellers said she would raise the issue at the next council meeting and council would send a letter of support for the cause.

A TWU spokeswoman said the union would like to see changes come into effect early next year.