moving experiences · spring 2016 official publication of the transport workers union (wa branch)...

www.twuwa.org.au

SPRING 2016

Official publicatiOn Of the transpOrt WOrkers uniOn (Wa branch) ph: 1800 657 477

WHEELTHETWU

Moving Experiences

WHEEL

There’s been plenty of action in the removal game and these heavy lifters from Kents have been at the forefront

The Wheel Spring 2016 5

Rand has a clever way of ignoring the

rights of its employees and ensuring

they pay them as little as possible.

Rand drivers current EBA expired in

December 2015, yet we are still trying to

get them to commence negotiations on

a new agreement.

Under the collective bargaining system

we always prepare for negotiations well

before EBA expiry dates.

However, Rand, unlike other companies,

has a clause in the agreement that

says we cannot approach them with

negotiations between December and

March.

They argue this is because Christmas to

Easter is their busiest period.

Rand management has been ignoring

our calls prior to the EBA expiring in 2015.

These delays have resulted in

negotiations not commencing until last

month – almost a year after their drivers

agreement expired.

And to make matters worse, Rand has

bought a crock of crap to the bargaining

table. They’ve want to:

1. Extend drivers work hours from

the current 5am – 6pm out to 5am to

6.30pm,

2. Extend the current 38 hours at single

time rates to weekends to save paying

overtime rates,

3. Change drivers dispute resolution

clause to ‘only matters pertaining

to the agreement or NES’ (national

employment standards) from ‘any

matter that causes a dispute or

relating to employment’,

4. Remove the relationship to the

Transport Award. An award that

provides for entitlements and

increases that an agreement may not.

5. Abolish the drivers Income

Protection Scheme (1.5%) entirely.

These claims are totally unacceptable.

Rand has also failed to take into account

drivers claims.

And they want tougher Right of Entry

provisions for union officials and want to

do away with several union recognition

clauses.

Their proposals have been stamped by

the worldwide legal firm “Norton Rose”

which specializes in industrial law.

It sounds like Rand is aiming to de-

unionise their operations.

It’s the old union-bashing strategy – get

the union out of the way and you can

kick shit out of the workers.

But Rand drivers are not fools – they

know that UNITED WE BARGAIN and

DIVIDED WE BEG.

They also understand that they must

unite as one to protect their take home

pay and conditions.

And we will certainly be telling the

company what they can do with their

retrograde proposals.

They are dragging the chain to deny

drivers hard-earned pay rises

Rand brings crock

of crap to negotiations

Reports JOHN CUTRALI

10 The Wheel Spring 2016

Sacked subbies win right to day in court

A recent decision of the WA Road

Freight Transport Industry Tribunal is an

extremely important win for the TWU and

local owner-drivers.

Chief Commissioner Pamela Scott ruled

on 19 August 2016 that a party to an

owner-driver contract can refer a dispute

to the Tribunal - even if the owner-driver

contract has come to an end.

The decision confirms the jurisdiction of

the Tribunal under the Act and enables

an owner-driver to bring a dispute to the

Tribunal after the owner-driver contract

has expired.

The decision clarified a previous

statement by another Commissioner

in an earlier case that a party to an

owner-driver contract could only refer a

dispute to the Tribunal if the owner-driver

contract was still currently in existence.

The matter was heard by the Tribunal

back in May and the applicant owner-

driver was not a union member and had

engaged his own legal representation.

Given the matter’s significance the TWU

– who are frequently involved in these

disputes – was notified of the hearing

and was invited to appear and make

submissions.

If the situation had been allowed to stand

it would have been a massive blow for

WA drivers.

The setting up of the Tribunal back

in 2008 was the result of years of

campaigning by the TWU on behalf of

owner-drivers.

The campaign included huge truck

convoys to state parliament and a four-

day shutdown of the Fremantle Wharf.

The TWU regularly seeks justice before

the Tribunal on behalf of owner drivers

who have been ripped off by hirers or

had contracts unfairly terminated.

And our track record shows that we have

been very successful in many of these

cases.

The TWU’s lawyer, Adam Dzieciol,

appeared at the hearing on behalf of

our members and made submissions

that were accepted by the Chief

Commissioner in her decision.

The company involved in the dispute –

Toll Transport - argued that the owner-

driver concerned had no jurisdiction to

refer the matter to the Tribunal and that

the application should be dismissed.

In contrast, the TWU successfully argued

that a party to an owner-driver contract

that has come to an end may refer a

dispute to the Tribunal under the Act.

This decision is a win for commonsense

and is consistent with the objects and

purpose of the legislation. This successful

outcome further demonstrates the vital

role that the TWU plays in the community

by promoting a safe and sustainable road

freight transport industry.

While the owner-driver concerned

was not a TWU member, without our

intervention the outcome may have been

different.

It would have enabled a hirer to terminate

an owner-driver without notice in order to

deny the owner-driver the right to refer a

dispute to the Tribunal.

This would have seriously harmed

the existing rights of our owner-driver

members.

Continuing to support your union is

the only way we can continue to fight for

fairness.

Uniting behind the union gives workers

a fighting chance in disputes where the

relative strengths of the parties are in

favour of the employer or hirer.

says TWU State Secretary

TIM DAWSON

‘The decision has avoided a massive

blow to owner-drivers

‘It would have enabled a hirer to terminate

an owner-driver without notice’


Throughout the transport industry more

and more companies are attempting

to reduce their labour costs by taking

a knife to their employees pay and

working conditions.In almost all cases they throw up the

economic downturn in WA and their

critical need to compete for contracts as

their reasons for cut-backs.The TWU is constantly in the process

of negotiating collective agreements

for members and the going is getting

tougher at the bargaining table than it

has been for several decades.Of course your Union is always fiercely

opposed to any reductions in hard

fought for conditions.Our bottom line has always been

annual pay rises of no less that the

inflation rate or Consumer Price Index.We argue that these rates are the

minimum needed for families to keep up

with the cost of living in this state.

However the downward pressure is

coming from all directions through the

smaller, medium and large sized firms

such as Linfox, Toll and Centurion.And it is not just rank and file wages

employees who are having the hard

word put on them.Owner-drivers are also copping

a hammering from mean-fisted

companies who are taking advantage

of reductions in available work to

ruthlessly screw subbies.The situation has got to a point where

we all have to have a serious think

about this race to the bottom and how

we are going to fight it.The answer is: the only way we are

going to effectively combat the cutbacks

is by consolidating all our yards into

UNITED WORKFORCES.That means getting all those people

who have ridden on the backs of union

members during the good times must be

persuaded to join the TWU and help us

fight to protect all that we have won.Because, if we don’t unite, the relentless

push for cheaper labour will inevitably

reduce take home pays, making it

much harder for families to pay their

bills and keep the wolves from the door. So, if the workforce in your yard is not

strongly union – for whatever reason –

have a serious think about what you can

do to make it stronger.And always remember – the stronger

the Union, the stronger your job and the

better chance you have of protecting

your income.Weak, poorly unionized workforces, will

be the hardest hit. And when you go

down, its often very hard to get up again.UNITED WE STAND – DIVIDED WE

FALL – is a saying that is truer today

than it has been for 20 years.Prepare to fight back!

Weak and poorly unionised workplaces will be hardest hit

Unite to Protect Your Pay and Conditions

predicts TWU state Secretary TIM DAWSON

Newly elected delegates Sheena Paranihi and Steve Boyd

bookend this picture of Linfox Hazelmere members.Linfox workers have been amongst

those hit by pay cuts. This group of mainly store workers at Linfox in Hazelmere have vowed to draw the line against further cutbacks

in negotiations for a new agreement.

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The WheelMagazine is vitally

importantin July this year, after 22 years with the TWU, I made a very difficult decision - i decided to retire.

approaching 70 and having put in over 40 years as a union official with three unions i thought i’d probably done my bit.

in addition to my duties as assistant secretary i had also been the union’s communications officer and long-term editor of the popular Wheel magazine.

The Wheel is vitally important to the success of our branch because it keeps us in touch with members.

the magazine is also read widely by spouses, family members and friends.

Many bosses also read it to find out what we are saying about them.

a few years back a survey revealed that the Wheel is passed around and read by around 40,000 people.

i put the success of our Journal down to several things.

• It has a go – if a company is doing the wrong thing we unload on them – we don’t pull punches – including in this edition.

• We provide important info and cover current events – this edition has

plenty of both.

• Humor – jokes and cartoons, etc. the world’s getting tougher and if we can’t have a laugh occasionally – we might as well shrivel up and die.

• And importantly the Wheel is not big on politically correctness – there’s too much of that going around.

interestingly, during all the years i have edited the Wheel we have had only three complaints about the jokes.

There is a fine line with humour - and you have to be alert to people’s sensitivities.

however, the vast majority of our members are pretty broadminded and the jokes are overwhelmingly popular with both men and women.

i think it is very important to maintain The Wheel with its current format and content mix.

so does our Wa state secretary tim Dawson. Tim has recently asked me to maintain my involvement with the magazine.

tim has appointed Eloyise Braskic as our new communic-ations officer – a good choice.

eloyise has a background in journalism and comes from a

strong union family.

she is very bright – a breath of fresh air to the branch – and we will work together on The Wheel.

Hope you enjoy reading our first edition as dual editors.

IT’s The MaIn voIce of our unIon

• Mark Bebich (Vice President)• Paul Aslan

• Bruce Spaul• Ralph Roth • Andy Payne• Bill Nuttall

• Peter Elliott• John Davis

• Deborah Dunbar• Mick Cook

• Mick Lawson

Branch coMMITTeeof ManaGeMenT

TWu (Wa)DIrecTorY

Telephone1800 657 477

FREE CALL STATEWIDE

Facsimile (Fax)9227 8320

Websitewww.twuwa.org.au

[email protected]

AddressLevel Three

82 Beaurfort StreetPerth, 6000

PostalPO Box 8497

Perth Business CentreWA 6849

TWU Super1800 222 071FREE CALL

DIRECTORY

Paul Aslan

Eloyise Braskic

Tim DawsonSTATE SECRETARY

Ray McMillanPRESIDENT

says PauL asLan

“I don’t need to do my homework I

outsourced it to a a kid in China.”



Throughout the transport industry more and more companies are attempting to reduce their labour costs by taking a knife to their employees pay and working conditions.

In almost all cases they throw up the economic downturn in WA and their critical need to compete for contracts as their reasons for cut-backs.

The TWU is constantly in the process of negotiating collective agreements for members and the going is getting tougher at the bargaining table than it has been for several decades.

Of course your Union is always fiercely opposed to any reductions in hard fought for conditions.

Our bottom line has always been annual pay rises of no less that the inflation rate or Consumer Price Index.

We argue that these rates are the minimum needed for families to keep up with the cost of living in this state.

However the downward pressure is coming from all directions through the smaller, medium and large sized firms such as Linfox, Toll and Centurion.

And it is not just rank and file wages employees who are having the hard word put on them.

Owner-drivers are also copping a hammering from mean-fisted companies who are taking advantage of reductions in available work to ruthlessly screw subbies.

The situation has got to a point where we all have to have a serious think about this race to the bottom and how we are going to fight it.

The answer is: the only way we are going to effectively combat the cutbacks is by consolidating all our yards into UNITED WORKFORCES.

That means getting all those people who have ridden on the backs of union members during the good times must be

persuaded to join the TWU and help us fight to protect all that we have won.

Because, if we don’t unite, the relentless push for cheaper labour will inevitably reduce take home pays, making it much harder for families to pay their bills and keep the wolves from the door.

So, if the workforce in your yard is not strongly union – for whatever reason – have a serious think about what you can do to make it stronger.

And always remember – the stronger the Union, the stronger your job and the better chance you have of protecting your income.

Weak, poorly unionized workforces, will be the hardest hit. And when you go down, its often very hard to get up again.

UNITED WE STAND – DIVIDED WE FALL – is a saying that is truer today than it has been for 20 years.

Prepare to fight back!

Weak and poorly unionised workplaces will be hardest hit

unite to Protect Your Pay and conditions

predicts TWu state secretary TIM DaWson

Newly elected delegates Sheena Paranihi and Steve Boyd

bookend this picture of Linfox Hazelmere members.

Linfox workers have been amongst those hit by pay cuts. This group

of mainly store workers at Linfox in Hazelmere have vowed to draw the line against further cutbacks

in negotiations for a new agreement.


centurion should Be ashamed

Centurion Transport pride themselves on being one of the big players in the transport industry but they should be ashamed of the poor working standards they’re offering their long distance drivers.

In the last Wheel I reported on the new pay and conditions agreement being proposed by Centurion Management for line-haul drivers.

In short, it rips off long distance drivers who are already being paid below award rates.

Yet Centurion continues to propose further cuts to drivers’ entitlements.

The conditions they are now trying to push onto drivers will only increase deadline pressures which could lead to more fatalities on our roads.

Many of Centurion’s proposals are pathetic and an outright insult to drivers.

They include not paying the allowances for Oversize Loads and Dangerous Goods which are provided for in the relevant award.

Centurion managers seem to believe their drivers are capable of raising a family, paying a mortgage and keeping up with the ever-increasing cost of living on their lousy pay rates.

Even the driver’s penalty rates are less than the award – it’s a disgrace.

The poor pay and conditions cause a huge turnover in their staff and we struggle to keep up with the revolving door.

Winning better pay and conditions is about gaining more members at Centurion as employees begin to see the benefits of their union negotiating on their behalf.

It’s a numbers game.

The more collective pressure we put on Centurion, the better our chances will be of winning a better agreement.

However as we went to press Centurion was determined to push their third rate agreement up for a vote.

After failing to get the dubious deal up in a previous vote the company was planning to conduct the latest ballot themselves.

An independent company conducted the last secret ballot and copped a BIG NO VOTE.

STOPTHE

PRESSThings aren’t getting any better for Centurion with only 16 of 72 linehaul drivers voting YES to their agreement. The TWU will now take the matter back to the Fair Work Commission for a hearing before Deputy President Binet on October 12.

of conditions offered to Linehaul DriversBut they are determined to push third-rate agreement up for another vote TWu Lead organiser

MIcK KnoWLes


rand has a clever way of ignoring the rights of its employees and ensuring they pay them as little as possible.

rand drivers current eba expired in December 2015, yet we are still trying to get them to commence negotiations on a new agreement.

under the collective bargaining system we always prepare for negotiations well before eba expiry dates.

however, rand, unlike other companies, has a clause in the agreement that says we cannot approach them with negotiations between December and March.

they argue this is because christmas to easter is their busiest period.

rand management has been ignoring our calls prior to the eba expiring in 2015.

these delays have resulted in negotiations not commencing until last

month – almost a year after their drivers agreement expired.

and to make matters worse, rand has bought a crock of crap to the bargaining table. they’ve want to:

1. Extend drivers work hours from the current 5am – 6pm out to 5am to 6.30pm,

2. extend the current 38 hours at single time rates to weekends to save paying overtime rates,

3. Change drivers dispute resolution clause to ‘only matters pertaining to the agreement or nes’ (national employment standards) from ‘any matter that causes a dispute or relating to employment’,

4. Remove the relationship to the Transport Award. an award that provides for entitlements and increases that an agreement may not.

5. Abolish the drivers Income Protection Scheme (1.5%) entirely.

these claims are totally unacceptable.

rand has also failed to take into account drivers claims.

and they want tougher right of entry provisions for union officials and want to do away with several union recognition clauses.

their proposals have been stamped by the worldwide legal firm “Norton Rose” which specializes in industrial law.

it sounds like Rand is aiming to de-unionise their operations.

it’s the old union-bashing strategy – get the union out of the way and you can kick shit out of the workers.

but rand drivers are not fools – they know that uniteD We barGain and DIVIDED WE BEG.

they also understand that they must unite as one to protect their take home pay and conditions.

and we will certainly be telling the company what they can do with their retrograde proposals.

They are dragging the chain to deny drivers hard-earned pay rises

rand brings crock of crap to negotiations

reports John cuTraLI


Companies angling for reduced conditions include Tip Top, Buttercup and Martin Brower are also proposing cutbacks in conditions.

Conditions that we have fought fairly to protect over several decades could be ripped up from under us if we don’t take a stand.

We are continuing to fight for Martin Brower drivers 3.5% pay rise in the three year deal – we don’t ask for much.

Armoured van firm Prosegur is also at it again with their cost cutting measures.

In the last Wheel magazine we reported they had breached an agreement and were risking safety by sending out two man crews at night instead of three man crews as per their agreement.

We’ve also found out Prosegur are getting their staff to knock off early without finishing their 38hour minimum weekly work.

Our TWU delegate was also suspended from work recently and we had to fight for him to be reinstated.

Whilst the gentleman has since been reinstated, Prosegur have docked his pay for the time when he was found to be unfairly dismissed.

Shame Prosegur, Shame!

Twice now Harris’ EBA has been put up to a vote, and twice it has been voted down by employees.

During negotiations Harris was more than willing to apply a CPI increase to their employees’ wages but they’ve since reneged on that initial promise.

It feels strange to me that the annual Consumer Price Index CPI which is currently running at just 1.1% is too much for a company like Harris to fork out.

We’re only talking about a small increase to cover Cost of Living here, not an unrealistic pay hike.

And that’s something that should be a right for everyone who works in this country – regardless of the industry.

We are now assessing if we should go for “three strikes and you’re out Harris?”

Or, will they come to the party and begin treating their employee’s with a bit of common decency.

reports John cuTraLI

But we continue to fight for pay rises

companies Demanding cutbacks

ProseGur aT IT aGaIn

stingy harris Balks at Tiny rise



You know something’s going rotten when it begins to smell and we’ve uncovered some improper practices in several divisions of the Toll Group that are well and truly on the nose.

These entirely unacceptable goings on involve the highly questionable distribution of work by Toll managers and supervisors at, at least, two of the firm’s local divisions.

The concerns were first bought to our notice several months back and they haven’t gone away, despite our reporting them to Toll’s head office.

Top brass were fully informed that several of their managers and supervisors – on company salaries – were distributing work to their own companies or firms linked to them.

And that this highly dubious practice was being carried out at the expense of long-term owner drivers who are often not receiving enough work to stay in business and feed their families.

The managers and supervisors concerned are employed directly by Toll but are being allowed to direct the lion’s share of available work to truck fleets linked to them or their family members.

These bosses are greedily grabbing the bulk of the cream work for themselves while chucking the odd scrap to the struggling owner drivers.

Until now Toll has failed to act on the complaints made by the TWU and individual owner-driver members

However we have recently been informed that an internal inquiry is underway after persistent complaints by Toll owner drivers to a Toll Group complaints hotline.

The stench emanating from this appalling situation will not go away until it is sorted out. The TWU will make certain of that.

We will not sit back while Toll have managers on big company salaries feathering their nests by contracting work out to their own vested interests.

In our view, it’s just plain wrong and bordering on corrupt.

We know for a fact that operations managers at other Toll divisions abide by very strict and ethical guidelines when it comes to contract work.

These guidelines require no cronism, nepotism or

connection to family members, etc. when contract work is divvied out.

And that’s the way it should be at all Toll divisions. But it isn’t and that is blatantly wrong.

There was a time – not so long ago – when the TWU regarded the Toll Group as one of the most credible and trustworthy transport firms in Australia.

Surely its top level management and Japanese owners are not going to continue to allow what is happening in WA.

Not going to let a good company be dragged down into the sewers by greedy, opportunistic manipulators who they are paying hefty salaries to.

We now await the outcome of what we are told will be an independent inquiry into the scandalous practices that are putting good owneroperators out of business.

And we are ready and willing to give sworn evidence of the wrong doing that is occurring.

WhILe sTruGGLInG suBBIes GeT The oDD scraPs

concerns over dishing out of Toll Work

TIM DaWson reports that ‘several Toll bosses are giving the lions share to family interests and it stinks!’

‘While other Toll managers abide by strict guidelines on contracting out’

Don’t think of it as a pay cut, Benson...

try to see it as reverse profit sharing.”

ToLL & LInfoX DeLeGaTes JoIn forces


ToLL & LInfoX DeLeGaTes JoIn forces

Uniting both the Toll

and Linfox delegate

community at the Belmont Sports Club

on Tuesday August 30

was something we’ve

never tried before.

The two biggest transport organisations

in WA, both at the same time, at the same conference.

It shows just how much

power there is in the

collective and we’re

going to need that power.

With what both firms

have planned, and

with Toll being bought

by Japan Post, we’re

going to need that power to fight.

Next year’s EBA negotiations are going

to be absolutely crucial

in maintaining our members pay and conditions.

Over the next year we

intend building a solid

barrier against further

cutbacks.

Hi guys,

Hope everyone is OK and not struck down with the nasty flu, like I am. Us girls are tuff and we will get on top of it soon.

What I am writing to “The Wheel” today is to let you know, my beautiful hubby Frank Cherry has just passed 40 years of driving buses. He started in 1976 at the Claremont Depot, then later going on to the Hamilton Hill Depot, then when that closed, he went and still is to this day, at the Palmyra Depot.

How did he celebrate (his 40 year service), you may ask, just another work day; and what did Management give him as a thank you gift? NOTHING, a Big ‘ZILCH’. Not even a “Thank You” or pat on his back. AND Management reckon they keep up to date and in touch with their drivers.

Love to all,Mrs. Kerry Cherry xox

Dear Mrs. Kerry Cherry

Thank you Kerry for your lovely letter.

It is so nice to hear from our members and their spouses, especially on such a momentous occasion as 40 years of service – that is an ENTIRE lifetime and shows a great deal of loyalty, and passion for what you do.

We would like to offer Frank a great deal of Thanks and Admiration for his commitment to moving Australia forward for such a long time. As for his management we give them a big thumbs down.

When you tell the world how committed you are about your people, how people are your business and how you respect and keep in touch with your people you should do what you say.

How about a handshake, a pat on the back, or a celebration of a job well done. Editor

Letter from a Members Wife


sacked subbies win right to day in court

A recent decision of the WA Road Freight Transport Industry Tribunal is an extremely important win for the TWU and local owner-drivers.

Chief Commissioner Pamela Scott ruled on 19 August 2016 that a party to an owner-driver contract can refer a dispute to the Tribunal - even if the owner-driver contract has come to an end.

The decision confirms the jurisdiction of the Tribunal under the Act and enables an owner-driver to bring a dispute to the Tribunal after the owner-driver contract has expired.

The decision clarified a previous statement by another Commissioner in an earlier case that a party to an owner-driver contract could only refer a dispute to the Tribunal if the owner-driver contract was still currently in existence.

The matter was heard by the Tribunal back in May and the applicant owner-driver was not a union member and had engaged his own legal representation.

Given the matter’s significance the TWU – who are frequently involved in these disputes – was notified of the hearing and was invited to appear and make submissions.

If the situation had been allowed to stand it would have been a massive blow for WA drivers.

The setting up of the Tribunal back in 2008 was the result of years of campaigning by the TWU on behalf of owner-drivers.

The campaign included huge truck convoys to state parliament and a four-day shutdown of the Fremantle Wharf.

The TWU regularly seeks justice before the Tribunal on behalf of owner drivers who have been ripped off by hirers or had contracts unfairly terminated.

And our track record shows that we have been very successful in many of these cases.

The TWU’s lawyer, Adam Dzieciol, appeared at the hearing on behalf of our members and made submissions that were accepted by the Chief Commissioner in her decision.

The company involved in the dispute – Toll Transport - argued that the owner-driver concerned had no jurisdiction to refer the matter to the Tribunal and that the application should be dismissed.

In contrast, the TWU successfully argued that a party to an owner-driver contract that has come to an end may refer a dispute to the Tribunal under the Act.

This decision is a win for commonsense and is consistent with the objects and purpose of the legislation. This successful outcome further demonstrates the vital role that the TWU plays in the community by promoting a safe and sustainable road freight transport industry.

While the owner-driver concerned was not a TWU member, without our

intervention the outcome may have been different.

It would have enabled a hirer to terminate an owner-driver without notice in order to deny the owner-driver the right to refer a dispute to the Tribunal.

This would have seriously harmed the existing rights of our owner-driver members.

Continuing to support your union is the only way we can continue to fight for fairness.

Uniting behind the union gives workers a fighting chance in disputes where the relative strengths of the parties are in favour of the employer or hirer.

says TWu state secretaryTIM DaWson

‘The decision has avoided a massive

blow to owner-drivers

‘It would have enabled a hirer to terminate

an owner-driver without notice’


Toll Intermodal’s treatment of sub-contractors working out of its Kewdale and Fremantle depots is a complete and utter disgrace.

For more than a year we have been attempting to negotiate a rate increase for the Kewdale operators to keep their businesses viable.

But instead of lifting their rates Toll gave the owner drivers a brutal ultimatum – take a 29% cut to their hourly rate or be sacked.

They were given until July 29 to sign up to the rotten deal or hand in their chips.

When 10 of them refused to sign on the dotted line they were issued termination of contract notices on September 11.

Most of the owner drivers are long-term loyal people with extensive experience in the industry.

It’s been four long years since they’ve have had any increase in their rates.

The rate calculations we had tabled at negotiations with Toll management

were not over the top and well and truly justified.

Toll Intermodal subbies are grossly underpaid given the money they need to churn into their own businesses just to break even And that goes without mentioning the income they require to provide for their families, pay mortgages and keep up with the cost of living in this state.

They are required by Toll to provide $10 million in public liability insurance for starters.

Then there are fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, truck payments, vehicle registration expenses, accountancy fees and a myriad of other costs.

The rates Toll want them to operate on are absolutely unsustainable.

We took their case to the WA Owner Drivers Tribunal where the Commissioner brokered a less drastic cut – but it was still far from acceptable to the owner drivers.

And things aren’t much better at Toll Intermodal’s Rous Head operation where manager Richard Walton has bought in subbies on box rates.

The rates are so low that several of the owner drivers have already gone broke and those who remain are struggling to eke out a living.

It is a shameful situation and even more so given that Toll is the largest transport company in Australia.

With them leading the race to the bottom, imagine how low their grubby competitors will go?

We are fighting on for our Toll Intermodal members for sustainable rates and our grounds are strong.

appalling Treatment of Toll Intermodal subbies

Weighbridge Diddling

Given a brutal ultimatum - take a 29% rate cut or be sacked

TWu Lead organiser MIcK KnoWLes reports

On a different subject we believe we have uncovered a diddle going on with Toll Intermodal’s weighbridge dockets.

Their overweight requirements only allow for a maximum permissible box rate of 24 tonnes.

However the TWU has obtained Main Roads weigh bridge dockets clearly stating their trucks have been carrying 29 plus tonnes of weight.

Discussions with Toll are underway on this important OH&S issue.

STOPTHE

PRESSThe TWU is pleased to report that following talks between TIM DAWSON and Senior Toll Managers in the Eastern States the Notices of Termination against the Toll Intermodal owner drivers have been withdrawn pending further discussions.


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Bruce the forkie left work one Friday evening.

But it was payday, so instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with his mates and spending his entire wages.

When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night, he was confronted by his angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions.

Finally his wife stopped the nagging and said to him, “How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?”

He replied, “That would be fine with me.”

Monday went by and he didn’t see his wife.

Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results.

But on Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

This guy walks into a bar in Redneck County and orders a white wine. Everybody sitting around the bar looks up, surprised and the bartender looks around and says: “You ain’t from around here, are ya… where ya from, boy?”

The guy says, “I’m from England.”

The bartender asks, “What th’ hell you do in England?”

The guy responds, “I’m a taxidermist.”

The bartender asks, “A taxidermist… now just what th’ hell is a taxidermist?”

The guy says, “I mount animals.”

The bartender grins and shouts out to the whole bar, “It’s okay boys, he’s one of us!”

Bruce blew his pay packet The woman approached the very handsome man in the large

supermarket and asked, “You know, I’ve lost my husband here in the supermarket. Can you talk to me for a couple of minutes?”

“Why? The man asks.

Because every time I talk to a handsome man my husband appears out of nowhere.”

TALK TO ME PLEASE

My grandpa started walking five miles a day when he was 60.

Now he’s 97 years old and we have no idea where the hell he is.

When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bike.

Then I realised that the Lord doesn’t work that way, so I stole one and asked him to forgive me.

Long Walks

I Wanted A New Bike

Where Ya From Boy



avIaTIon rePorTalpha Members Prepare

to fight for a fair Go coBhaMcLaIM shorT

BuT faIr

frusTraTIon

As reported in the last Wheel magazine, Alpha Flight Services has told employees their wages will be frozen.

National EBA negotiations are underway with the current EBA set to expire in October.

Problems in the workplace the TWU has already relayed to management include:

1. Payroll problems

2. Rostering issues

3. Issues with uniforms

4. Work is harder and there’s not enough staff

5. Problems with pay and allowances and management’s attitude to your work

We have told the company our members will not accept a sub-standard offer and will not agree to a rushed EBA.

However Alpha has responded that although they are making a profit they are under pressure from client airlines and airport owners.

And they’d like the EBA negotiations completed ASAP.

We are working as hard as we can to produce the best deal for you.

Alpha is renowned for putting out guarantees that sound all well and good but nasties are hiding in the fine print.

They include important things such as no increase to super and being stripped of your annual leave entitlements.

Alpha looks set to become another victim of the aviation supply chain dominated by globalized businesses such as Qantas.

These firms pressure service providers into cost cuts and prioritising profits over employee wellbeing.

The best way to protect your pay and conditions is to support a fully unionised workforce.

Working together as a strong collective will get us the fairest and best possible agreement.

EBA negotiations are underway for Cobham cabin crew and although it’s still early days the employees are adamant they will not give up their conditions.

Our log of claims is short and fair:

• We do not want to give up duty travel time and would like increases in our gold days and call out penalties.

• A pay rise is also part of our agenda.

We believe that with the cabin crew working closely together with the TWU we can win these conditions and not have to give up existing rights.

Both Network cabin crew and pilots are extremely frustrated with Qantas’ lack of interest in its employees.

These employees are critical to the airlines operation but they are are another victim of the airlines never-ending cost cutting.

Network is the lowest paying among its competitors and the three unions involved are already looking towards action.

from aviation organiser GLen Barron

MY aDvIce for aLPha sTaff Is To

LIsTen To Your unIon!


swan transit negotiations remain bogged down with management still intent on ripping money and conditions off drivers

it’s been tough going since february when talks got underway and there is a growing divide between swan and the drivers’ bargaining committee.

Despite a majority of drivers rejecting swan’s full-scale attack on their entitlements, in a secret ballot, ceO brian thompson is still banging the “we are too uncompetitive” drum.

and even though swan has the lion’s share of the transperth cake brian still wants more contracts.

recapping on our last Wheel article these are a few of brian’s proposals

• Grandfathering of all conditions so that all new drivers get lesser wages and poorer conditions than existing employees.

• A 1% reduction in super and super only paid on 38 hours instead of rostered overtime.

• Currently drivers at Swan enjoy a Monday to Friday roster. Swan wants to keep existing drivers on that roster but with the option of a Monday to Saturday roster using new drivers.

they want all this and more, in return for free Wi Fi in the depots. What a JOke!!!

all up brian has been chasing a 5% overall reduction in labour costs which

he has claimed he needs to compete with path for the kalamunda contract.

after an extensive NO campaign run by the tWu, swan drivers voted the crappy and highly divisive deal down.

We think this may have been the first time swan drivers have rejected a company proposed agreement. and thank goodness they did.

since then, the company has completed comparisons of costings with the kalamunda agreement and found the difference is actually less than 1%.

When this research came in and shot down swan’s argument they switched their uncompetitive argument to the Morley agreement, which is a completely different kettle of fish.

like comparing oranges with chook eggs.

The fight goes on.

Drivers voted down crappy and highly

divisive deal

swan Transit trying to throw its drivers

under a bus

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The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was 20 years’ worth of hard work channeled into achieving safe and sustainable rates for truck drivers.

Some Tribunal opponents claimed the TWU doesn’t like owner drivers and that we wanted to drive out them out so we could pick up more members at Toll and Linfox so that we’ll have a bigger membership.

What a load of garbage!

In WA we have well over 1,000 owner-driver members and we fight tooth and nail for them - constantly.

We also have enormous respect for these people who – generally with the support of their spouse - have had the guts to take on the running of their own businesses.

Operating a small transport company is no easy task and we admire them for what they do.

We also know that many of them are struggling to stay afloat in the aftermath of the virtual collapse of the WA economy following the end of the mining boom.

And - that the rate-cutting by transport firms who hire subbies has never been more severe.

However, there are fools out there who blame the RSRT for sending them broke.

These people – many of them fleet-owners – were sucked in by opportunistic politicians and other vested interests.

By helping to kill off the RSRT they threw the baby out with the bath water.

In actual fact, the RSRT never actually came into operation.

Its premature abolition was a terrible shame because if ever owner drivers needed regulation of cartage rates it is now.

The RSRT would have made safe and sustainable rates a lot more achievable for all drivers.

The Tribunal would have made each rung of the supply chain give a f..k about the collective and not just the individual.

Unfortunately, I have to admit that our Union did fail in adequately communicating the many advantages of the RSRT laws to ownerdrivers.

It’s an unavoidable fact. But we needed more time to get organized. And that’s why we proposed an eight month postponement of the introduction of the safe rates laws.

We thought we had won. We thought the RSRT was a done deal. We didn’t realise it could be ripped away so quickly. And by many of the people it would have served to protect.

Now the need for regulation of minimum rates for owner drivers has never been more important or urgent.

If ever safe rates were needed it’s now!

reports TIM DaWson

But the baby was thrown out withthe bath water

Drivers rallied against rate cuts at Parliament House


After an ongoing joke with a previous work colleague that I would never go above the 26 degree parallel, and after 9 years as a union official, the Perth weather finally got to me and I made the move North.

It’s official – I am the new North West Organiser based in Karratha and I am really enjoying the job.

I come from a blue collar background and am proud of it I served an apprenticeship as a steel fabrication apprentice before leaving the construction industry and being retrained as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

The aircraft work gave me the opportunity to work in Australia and overseas, places like Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai).

Throughout my working life I have always maintained my union membership.

I went from being an OH&S rep to being a union delegate at Qantas Heavy Maintenance at Avalon in Victoria and eventually become an organiser with the Australian Workers Union.

I took on these roles because I saw too many workers being used, mistreated and picked on.

If you know me - and hopefully many members will get to know me - I stand up for the rights of members, and their right to be union members.

Everyone has the right to representation and I’ll be ensuring

our North West members get it whenever they need it.

I certainly will not be attending meetings where companies are trying to terminate a member’s employment so I can hold the bosses hand.

I will always represent members to the best of my ability so they get the best outcome possible.

The wide open spaces of the Pilbara will be a challenge.

Bosses might think that the remoteness of their depots will be an advantage to them but if a member needs representation I will be there.

I am looking forward to dealing with the heat and distance, erratic meeting times, no returned phone calls from managers, change of meeting times, rescheduling meetings, cancelling meetings, etc.

It will all be in a day’s work for a dedicated and committed union official.

I’ve already met some great delegates and members in the Pilbara and look forward to getting to know many more.

UNITED WE WIN - Hammer.

hammer comes down on north West firms

Some of the boys at Cleanaway in Karratha gave Hammer a warm welcome

Hammer picked out three of the best looking

Toll Liquid drivers for this pic

our new north West organiser ‘HAMMER’ MELKIC files his first report for The Wheel


The economy continues to hit the transport industry hard with Naval Base firm Steel Haul Logistics recently going into receivership.

Our delegate Warren Painter and loyal members have been through hell and back since the announcement of the firm’s plight in June.

Entitlements owed by the company may need to be claimed through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee Act (FAG).

The FAG is a federal government operated scheme to provide financial assistance for workers who have not been fully paid wages and other entitlements that are due to them.

The TWU will provide as much assistance as it can to its Steel Haul members.

There are also issues such as superannuation payments that have not been paid and this has really pissed the boys off.

However, to their credit, they have maintained a professional and focused attitude during an immensely challenging time.

An announcement on a possible buyer for the company is only weeks away – and fingers are crossed.

One thing I do know is: whoever buys the company will get a very loyal workgroup.

Not bad considering the mushroom diet the company has been feeding our members over the last six months.

Let’s hope that, if there is a buyer, they treat our members with the decency they deserve

and hoping for good news on a potential buyer

DrIver WronGLY sacKeD over

seaT BeLT

Port report by Leon ruri

in the firing LineWe had a good win for a member at Toll Intermodal Fremantle who was facing the sack for allegedly not wearing a seat belt whilst driving a truck.

The footage presented by the company was similar to that often produced by UFO enthusiasts who try to convince themselves that something that clearly isn’t - actually is.

In keeping with the flying theme, I decided to use ducks for evidence instead, so both sides lined up their ducks and thankfully this time we QUACKED the case.

The member kept his job and lived to fight another day.

Special mention to delegate Michael Grow and the boys who were very passionate in their support for a fellow worker based on the fairness of the issue.

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The container business is about to heat up on the Fremantle wharf with Australian Container Freight Services set to stamp its foot print along the strip.

They’ll directly rival QUBE in the container park game with new premises due for construction on the wharf in the coming months.

Our members had a good win with the ACFS management agreeing to increase the boot allowance by $60 a pair.

We’re now looking at EBA conditions with the company that will see an agreement that secures employment and market share for our members.

Watch this space with this company as they have big plans to establish themselves in WA.

I want to give the members a big wrap, it’s always a buzz for me to see members who are passionate about working conditions not only for themselves but for all employees.

These attitudes are only going to help company’s survive through this tough economic period.

The old saying rings true, it only takes for good men or women to be silent, for poor workplace practises develop and cost you in the hip pocket.

We hope to negotiate a new eBa with themreport Leon ruri

“Your grandmother sent you $5 for your

birthday. Put it in the bank for a very long

time and someday it will be worth $2."


I first met my mate Bill sixty years ago when we were six years old.

We went to a school called Forrest Grove, about 15 kilometres south of Margaret River.

The first day we met we shook hands and as some six year old would do, cut our fingers and swore to be blood brothers and best mates for the rest of our lives.

Up to this day, we are still the best of mates and often enjoy a cold beer together.

Both Bill’s grandfathers fought on the Western Front in World War 1. One rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and received the Distinguished Service Medal for gallantry in action.

This brave man was one of the lucky ones who returned to Australia after the war had finished.

Not long after his return, Bill’s grandfather left his family, moved interstate and became an alcoholic. He died a recluse without two pennies to rub together.

Bill’s grandfather was suffering from what was known as shell shock - a common and debilitating condition bought on by the deafening noise and horrors of war on the frontline.

These days, it is called post-traumatic stress syndrome and there are many good organisations out there willing to help those who suffer from it.

Bill’s father also served in the Second World War and was wounded in action.

After recovering from his injuries, he was discharged and took up farming.

Bill had four sisters, three of whom served in the RAAF. The fourth was

much too young and still in school at the time.

In 1967, the Vietnam War was going strong and at the age of 17 and a half, Bill decided to follow in the footsteps of his three sisters, his father, his uncles and his grandfathers, who all served their country.

Bill attempted to enlist for National Service with the intention of serving two years, including a one year deployment in Vietnam.

He was told he was too young for National Service.

Not to be denied Bill enlisted in the Regular Army, still only in his seventeenth year.

Around six weeks before turning 19, Bill commenced a twelve month tour of Vietnam as a rifleman and frontline solider.

Bill was selected as a forward scout and as any soldier who has been given that task will tell you – it’s not an envious job to be handed.

What my mate and many thousands of over brave soldiers experienced over their tours of duty was nerve wrenching, never knowing if their next step would be their last.

Vietnam was very different to previous wars. Normally you knew when you were fighting the enemy because you could distinguish them by uniform.

In Vietnam, a lot of the time you didn’t know who or where the enemy was until they tried to kill you.

Age and gender were of no consequence.

Many of the dreadful things that happened to our soldiers can’t always be imagined through conversation. Only when you see graphic images of the conditions they fought in can you understand why so many returned in such bad shape – mentally and physically.

The reason Bill volunteered to go to war, before he was even eligible, was because he knew his father was on limited time with his health.

Bill wanted to serve his country and then return to take over the running of the family farm after active duty in Vietnam.

On his return from Vietnam, Bill requested an honorable discharge to return to the farm so he could run it.

It was granted but only on the condition that he be on active twenty four hour standby for the following five years should his services be required on the front.

Many years passed following Bill’s return to Australia and he like many other began to suffer from post-traumatic stress following his experiences in Vietnam as a frontline soldier.

Bill was only 19 when he flew into Vietnam HellBut for 50 years bureaucrats have denied him and many of his mates an important medal they have well and truly earned.

His good mate JOHN DAVIS tells the story


Bill was only 19 when he flew into Vietnam HellBill was treated accordingly and as I mentioned earlier, is still with us today.

Bill applied for the Australian Defense Force Medal which is awarded to personnel in recognition of their service to their country.

However, this medal, one of the more recognized medals, which Bill has applied for twice, is awarded with certain conditions.

Bill has been told he does not qualify for them because he came out of the army approximately seven months before his three year enlistment period was completed.

Ironically he would have received the Medal providing:

• He had waited to be called up for National Service, served less time and had not gone to Vietnam, or:

• Waited in the army for seven months to complete his three year enlistment. Which would have meant his father would have had to sell the family farm as he was unable to manage it due to his Second World War injuries.

The medal, is awarded not for bravery or outstanding service but simply for service as a Defence Force Personnel to your country,

Bill has been denied the right to stand shoulder to shoulder with his fellow Veterans, many of whom he fought with, wearing a medal that says he is a credit to his country.

The fact he was prepared to sacrifice his own life in a combat zone for a period of twelve months does not matter.

I have attended many war services with my good mate Bill and his wife, and we both feel for him and understand.

We know how much it must hurt seeing other veterans wearing a medal he is entitled to wear but can’t due to some rule that needs to be changed.

The Department of Defence powers that be have told Bill, and other veterans in similar situations, that if they don’t like their decisions they should take them to court.

And, disgracefully, waste taxpayers money on legal proceedings, rather than simply overturning a stupid and unjust ruling.

So with the help of the good people of Australia, we have launched a campaign to pressure the federal government to right an obvious wrong.

The fight for commonsense to prevail has only just begun.

We will not relent until on ANZAC Day’s to come and on other commemorative days all Vietnam Veterans can stand with pride wearing the Australian Defence Force Medal in recognition of their distinguished service to our country.

A petition has been drawn up and we are looking for people to help us with its circulation.

We aim to present the petition to the House of Representatives in the New Year, in the hope we can achieve recognition for those who so clearly deserve it.

By the way mate Bill was a third generation soldier and - He was only nineteen when he first landed in Vietnam.

InTeresTeD In heLPInG?

Please call John Davis on 0402 797 903

John Davis with his mate Bill at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra


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one for the scots

one Liner

are You My Mother?Donald MacDonald from the Isle of Mann went to study at an English university and was living in the hall of residence with all the other students there.

After he had been there a month, his mother came to visit him.

“And how do you find the English students, Donald?” she asked.

“Mother,” he replied, “they’re such terrible, noisy people. The one on that side keeps banging his head on the wall and won’t stop. The one on the other side screams and screams all night.”

“Oh Donald! How do you manage to put up with these awful noisy English neighbors?”

“Mother, I do nothing. I just ignore them. I just stay here quietly, playing ma bagpipes.”

A baby was born with the ability to talk.

The first thing he said when he was born was, “Are you my mum?”

“Why, yes!” his mother said. “I am!”

“Well,” the baby said, “I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of me before I was born.” Then he looks around the room and says, “Are you my doctor?”

“Yes, I am!” says the doctor.

“Well, I just wanted to thank you,” says the baby, “for taking such good care of me during the delivery.”

“You’re very welcome,” says the doctor.

The baby looks around the room and says, “Hey, are you my father?”

Overcome with pride, his dad says, “Yes, I am!”

The baby says, “Come here for a minute. I want to show you something. Bend down.” The father complies, and the baby starts poking him in the forehead. “How does that feel?! Hurts, doesn’t it?”

I went to the zoo the other day, there was only one dog in it, It was a shitzu…

“That’s correct, Doctor. He claims that the instructions said to squeeze toothpaste from bottom.”



Why did the forkie cross the road?

Centurion are at it again, this time with their forklift drivers at the company warehouse in Hazlemere.

Despite what their boss is telling them, Centurion does not have a permit for the forklifts at the Hazelmere Warehouses to cross the road outside its premises.

The depot driveway is located on a blind spot and trucks are coming and going consistently on Yagine Close.

We worry it won’t be long before there is an accident and someone gets killed, or seriously injured.

The TWU has spoken with Centurion’s Safety Manager and Main Roads about this issue. We have even involved the police.

Yet the bosses continue to tell the workers to cross the road - like chickens to the slaughter.

There were some backwoods hillbillies living across the river from each other, who feuded constantly. John hated Clarence with a passion and never passed up a chance to throw rocks across the river at Clarence.

This went on for years until one day the Corps of Engineers came to build a bridge across that river. John was elated; he told his wife that finally he was going to get the chance to cross over and whip Clarence.

He left the house and returned in a matter of minutes. His wife asked what was wrong, didn’t he intend to go over the bridge and whip Clarence?

He replied that he never had really seen Clarence up close and didn’t realize his size until he started over the bridge and saw the sign: “CLEARANCE 8 FT 3 INCHES”

Bruce comes home from the pub and sees Sheila watching Gordon Ramsay’s F%*#ing cooking show on the telly.

Bruce says; “What are you watching that shit for? You can’t cook to save your life!.”

To which Sheila replies; “So what? You watch porn movies, don’t you?”

HHHHHH

A man was running late for the office one day, so he was exceeding the speed limit along the freeway.

The next thing he knows his wife rings up and says, “I’ve just seen on the TV that there’s a maniac going down the wrong side of the freeway”.

The man replies, “It’s not just one, it’s all of them.”

The hillbilly feud

What are You Watching

Main Roads WA has advised the TWU that Yagine Close is a public road and basically, unless it is closed to public vehicles, it must comply with the Road Traffic Act. Which means that all vehicles using it must be licensed or have an appropriate permit – which puts the kybosh on fork lifts crossing the road. GOOD OUTCOME!

"I don't need to do my homework. I outsourced it to a kid in China".

MIcK KnoWLes reportsSTOP

THEPRESS


Union members lead by a strong bargaining committee consisting of Alasdair Galt and Rob Cross have voted to endorse a new agreement that is a great result for their 2016 EBA campaign.

The deal will see members’ wages and conditions increase dramatically over the life of the agreement. Some of the wins include

• 2% annual pay increases over a 3 year agreement - including full back pay dating back to January 2016.

• Addition of 17.5% annual leave loading.

• 4% increase to all allowances.

• Reduction of ordinary hours from 45 per week to 44 which also includes the ability to bank one RDO per month.

• Revised classification structure that also includes the addition of a storemen classification. This will provide a clear pathway on what members are entitled to be paid

• Rewording of the casual rates of pay clause to better reflect that a casual is to be paid the full time equivalent rate plus 25% loading.

• Strong union clauses that give paid delegate training, paid members meetings and the ability to better consult with management.

Members obtained all of the above but were prepared to take out the long term employee bonus.

However those who currently qualify will continue to receive this payment.

The above achievements are remarkable given the difficult economic climate that we were bargaining in.

Union members at Kent have always maintained a strong union yard and because of this have achieved good outcomes in the past.

However, in current EBA negotiations members have only asked for a small pay rise to keep clawing back the massive difference between their wage and the true WA cost of living.

Fair enough? Not according to Mr Kent.

The company argues they already pay too much and that members are only worth a .5% pay increase each year – half a percent.

But Kents, with their twisted logic, have offered a 2% pay increase if the members vote to give up their income protection provision that is valued at 1.5%.

They argue it never gets used so why have it.

I would have thought its low usage was a good thing. Or would Kents prefer its employees to be regularly off on income protection?

Anyway, the good news is that members are showing true resolve and are now digging in their heels.

In fact they have all written and signed a letter to current owner and Executive Chairman Graham Kent hoping that common sense prevails and a fair increase is passed on.

If this doesn’t work the members will no doubt be seriously looking at their options.

Kents Twisted offer

Great results at santa fe WridgwaysJason WaLTers reports

call to give up Income cover not

acceptablesays Lead organiser

Jason WaLTers


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Well after 44 years my old mate’s hanging up the boots.

Bart started fresh out of the Army Reserve at the tender age of 22 at the old Swan Brewery on the river on Mounts Bay Road, Crawley.

He started as a forklift driver.

This was back in the day when you could have a beer for morning smoko, lunch, and arvo smoke.

Back then it was like winning lotto getting a job with the Swan Brewery.

Bart loved his job - who wouldn’t?

In 1979 the old brewery moved out to Canning Vale making it the most modern brewery in the Southern Hemisphere.

Drinking on the job got swapped for a free carton per week and safety caught up so Bart jumped on to the trucks at the new site.

Bart cherished being out on the road! Back then you did a delivery, then the publican would shout you lunch and a beer.

In 1992 the Brewery put the transport out to contract, giving all the drivers a chance to own their own trucks.

A little drivers’cooperative named Emu Freight Services was born.

Bart, became a big part of the new enterprise, I remember well going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark.

Long, long days!

Then Wesfarmers got the contract, then Toll got the contract, then Bevchain got the contract – and they still have it.

In 2008 Bart sold his truck and went on to wages till this day delivering beer.

Full credit to Bevchain for encouraging Bart to stay working after he turned 65. They clearly recognise the true value of mature workers.

Bart’s a true blue Aussie playing over 250 games of cricket for his beloved Armadale and footy for Willetton and Armadale.

A proud TWU member for over 20 years, I know Bart is looking forward to spending more time with his lovely wife Ann, the kids and grandkids.

What I can say Bart, me old mate, is: - “Mate you will be sadly missed around the joint.”

On behalf of all your work mates, Enjoy your retirement, you have bloody well-earned it.

Cheers from the crew.

ray’s swan song

A Story by Ralph Roth

about Raymond Bartlett

or Bart to his mates

“Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. But many of his coworkers suspect he did it intentionally just to get time off and collect disability benefits.”


sacked Injured Driver re instated

When we believe a member has been unfairly sacked we generally take their case to the Fair Work Commission.

We usually seek reinstatement of the employee or compensation for their financial losses.

When we are able to settle at the conciliation stage we are unable to release certain details of the Deed of Settlement.

Typically, this means we have to be careful in disclosing specifics regarding unfair dismissal matters once settled.

So in sharing this good news story about a long-time member of the TWU we’ll the member concerned - Jack.

This veteran truck driver has been a union member longer than I have been alive – and I’ve got plenty of grey hair!

Jack had also been a delegate at one of the bigger transport yards in Perth - a very strong union yard.

The yard manager was well aware of this and was obviously looking to make an example of someone whom he deemed to be a trouble maker

Jack had been off work since December 2015 due to a work-related injury and was covered by worker’s compensation.

He had been upfront with his employer after going through surgery and had let them know how long his recovery would likely take.

His surgeon had advised he may need a second operation if his injury persisted. Being an honest bloke Jack informed his employer of this conversation.

The employer im-mediately jumped on what seemed a good opportunity to give Jack the boot. The boss issued a letter demanding further medical reports or a definite date in

which he would be back to work 100%.

Jack thought he was doing the right thing by being upfront and arranged an updated medical certificate as requested.

Soon after, he was called to the office for a catch up chat

Jack assumed the meeting meant his employer had genuine concern about his health and wanted to check on his progress.

Wrong! – this meeting was to sack poor Jack!

Jack’s only ‘misconduct’ was being absent from work from December through April while on worker’s comp!

He still had a heap of annual and long service leave owed to him but the company was adamant he had to go.

The company refused to accept it had acted unfairly

So we lodged an adverse action application with the Fair Work Commission claiming a breach of the general protections provided to all employees in Australia.

An adverse action claim is never a good look for any employer

and is certain to catch attention should the matter proceed to hearing.

I had been in contact with the company who now assured

me they had made a genuine mistake, an

‘Jack thought he was doing the right thing by being

upfront’

and more good news the

arsehole manager got himself on the

naughty list

The employer immediately jumped on what seemed a good opportunity to give Jack the boot

reports the TWus JoeL cLarKe


sacked Injured Driver re instatedThe employer immediately jumped on what seemed a good opportunity to give Jack the boot

reports the TWus JoeL cLarKe

and beating the unIon BusTers our Training & Development Officer

‘administration error’, and that they would never intentionally do anything of the sort.

At the conciliation hearing the company agreed to reinstate Jack.

Then amazingly, they left Jack hanging like a carcass in the breeze for several more months pending further medical evidence

They also told Jack he had to pay back some of the leave that was paid out to him when he was terminated.

Jack had been certified by his own doctor as able to return to work on modified/light duties and was understandably keen to just get back to work and back to normal.

Eventually he did get back on the job in keeping with the confidential agreement reached with the Fair Work Commission – a great win for him and the TWU

And in more good news - the a-hole manager who sacked Bill had managed to get himself on the naughty list and is no longer working for the company.

Every day transport workers are feeling more pressure from the boss, especially since the mining boom came off the heat.

Employers are getting bolder and they are testing the resolve of members across the state, and across the country.

They are training their managers to bust Unions, take power from workers and strip away conditions everywhere you look.

Union members have to be smarter and stronger to win and that’s why TWU Delegates are training to build power!

Over 40 Delegates have attended the introductory delegates course so far this year and there are still more courses going ahead!

The introductory course focuses on skills and knowledge needed to resolve issues in the workplace, recruit new members, communicate with management and to start thinking strategically about the transport industry.

Delegates have made amazing changes in their workplaces following the training.

John Gaske and Frances Tupara, Delegates for Transdev Wangara Depot, have worked together to move their union membership from 30% to 55% after attending training.

“I hate when workers are not being treated with respect.” said John.

“The training really enforced that you don’t have to take what is being dished out to you by management, that there is a way to fight back”

The very first intermediate training course has been held to help Delegates expand on their skills around representing members, building strong union structures in the workplace, and winning on collective issues.

The training was a huge success and there will be more opportunities for Delegates to attend this course in the New Year.

Delegates play the most vital role in making TWU the best Union it can be.

Training is a huge opportunity to build power, information and networks across all arms of the transport industry.

This is why the TWU leadership has focused resources on training and development so that Union members can be stronger and more effective than ever.

There is now a dedicated Delegate Development Officer in the branch, there will continue to be introductory and intermediate courses, and there will be many development opportunities next year.

Talk to your Delegates about what they have learned and how you can get involved!

TraInInG for PoWer

by KarI PnaceK



how can Qantas ground handlers afford to take second jobs? An 84% boost in Qantas’ annual profit will provide scant relief to hundreds of the airline’s ground handling staff who are struggling to survive below the poverty line.

While Qantas bosses are tipped to hand themselves bonuses on top of their executive salaries, workers on the frontline are enduring an 18 month wage freeze.

Thousands of them are recieving base salaries lower than the national minimum wage.

The TWU is calling on Qantas ground handling subsidiary QGS to provide a regular pattern of hours for its employees so that they can find additional work to supplement low incomes

We are also seeking overtime for all “extensions” to rostered shifts.

Negotiations continue on behalf of 1550 QGS baggage room, aircraft presentation, cabin cleaning and towing employees.

Of these 1309 are part-time, 219 casual and ONLY 12 full-time.

They have no reliable access to the weekly minimum wage because of a 20-hour engagement guarantee, “on demand” rostering and the payment of ordinary time rates for up to 38 hours.

A grade 1 part-time employee working the guaranteed 20 minimum hours a week earns $417, about $255 less than the minimum weekly wage of $672.70 for a 38-hour week.

At the upper end of the scale a Grade 4 employee is guaranteed a minimum $570.

And it is virtually impossible for them to take a second part-time job because

they must be “available on demand” at all times.

So the “ability to obtain something as basic as a mortgage or car loan is really non-existent”

These employees are a big part of the growing poor in Australia who are underemployed and forced below the poverty line where they struggle to put food on the family table.

Their dilemma is truly pathetic and the TWU is campaigning hard for much needed improvements in their pay and conditions.

Our recent log of claims seeks:

* Annual increases of 4%;

* An increase in minimum part-time rostered hours from from 20 to 30 each week;

* Extensions to rostered shifts for part-time employees to be paid at overtime rates;

* Part-time employees to be rostered a maximum of five days in any one week;

* Maximisation of full-time employment opportunities;

* Commitment to a minimum of 35% full-time employment by expiry of the agreement;

QGs employees are a big part of the growing poor in australia

reports TWu Leader TIM DaWson

The airline is a nationalDisgrace

WHAT QANTAS WANT TO AGREE TO

JOIN FOR A BETTER FUTURE AT QGS!

YOUIn order to be eligible for the Qantas Bonus Offer, the company has said a new workplace

Agreement must be in place. HERE’S WHAT THEY WANT IN OUR NEW AGREEMENT: 18 month wage freeze No increase in minimum hours for part-time workers No paid overtime for extensions No guarantee on full-time positions. The company is putting together a

proposal to review the labour mix once a year. This will not be put into the

Agreement Qantas have said they will consider ways to improve roster consistency and

will bring a proposal to the next meeting at the end of September You will soon receive a comprehensive Qantas Group Agreement comparison to see if

QGS workers are being offered a fair deal. WE’RE STRONGERTOGETHERTWU NSWRichard OlsenP: 1800 729 909E: [email protected]: www.twunsw.org.au

TWU QLDPeter BiaginiP: 1800 804 533E: [email protected] W: www.twuqld.org.au

TWU VIC/TASJohn BergerP: 1300 727 614 E: [email protected]: www.twu.asn.au

TWU SA/NTRay WyattP: 08 8346 4177 E: [email protected]: www.twusant.com.au

TWU WATim DawsonP: 1800 657 477E: [email protected]: www.twuwa.org.au

CARRYING AUSTRALIA

TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNIO

N

NSW BRANCH


how can Qantas ground handlers afford to take second jobs?

fulton hogan hit with 22 claims

Fulton Hogan at Hazelmere have begun negotiations on a new agreement for its employees and we are preparing for a rough road ahead.

The company is a large infrastructure, construction and roadworks firm with a big Australian workforce.

The TWU has a strong EA committee and I think they will fight hard to keep and improve their conditions.

So far we have had one introductory meeting, however, we have since finalised the log of 22 claims and its full steam ahead.

The claims have been endorsed by the members and we will keep them informed of any developments that arise.

As the Wheel went to press another meeting was due to be held and we were keen to see what they would put on the table.

The following are some of our members 22 claims.

WHAT QANTAS WANT TO AGREE TO

JOIN FOR A BETTER FUTURE AT QGS!

YOUIn order to be eligible for the Qantas Bonus Offer, the company has said a new workplace

Agreement must be in place. HERE’S WHAT THEY WANT IN OUR NEW AGREEMENT: 18 month wage freeze No increase in minimum hours for part-time workers No paid overtime for extensions No guarantee on full-time positions. The company is putting together a

proposal to review the labour mix once a year. This will not be put into the

Agreement Qantas have said they will consider ways to improve roster consistency and

will bring a proposal to the next meeting at the end of September You will soon receive a comprehensive Qantas Group Agreement comparison to see if

QGS workers are being offered a fair deal. WE’RE STRONGERTOGETHERTWU NSWRichard OlsenP: 1800 729 909E: [email protected]: www.twunsw.org.au

TWU QLDPeter BiaginiP: 1800 804 533E: [email protected] W: www.twuqld.org.au

TWU VIC/TASJohn BergerP: 1300 727 614 E: [email protected]: www.twu.asn.au

TWU SA/NTRay WyattP: 08 8346 4177 E: [email protected]: www.twusant.com.au

TWU WATim DawsonP: 1800 657 477E: [email protected]: www.twuwa.org.au

CARRYING AUSTRALIA

TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNIO

N

NSW BRANCH

* An assurance that labour mix reviews will be a standing agenda item on port consultative committees; and

* A 1% additional superannuation contribution above the SGL.

QGS is yet to respond in writing but has “rejected every claim made by the TWU” but has counter-proposed:

* A freeze on wages at current rates for 18 months to September 2017;

* A 3% pay rise in September 2017 and a further 3% increase in September 2018;

* An expiry date of September 1, 2019;

* Removal of overtime payments for any work required on the sixth day of the week;

* An increase in the length of shifts requiring a meal break from four to five hours.

The airline is a national disgrace.

Even without any of its claims to reduce conditions being successful, Qantas proposes a four-year agreement that delivers 1.5% average annual increases.’’

Qantas says it will continue to negotiate in good faith with the TWU on a new agreement covering QGS employees to replace the existing agreement which expired last November 30.

• Annual pay rise of 4% • Superannuation increases • $3 more for non-metro travel. • Meal allowance totaling $75 per

week when at camp. • $100 per week when not • Living away from home allowance

up to $90 per day

• Shared amenities allowance $65 • Time and one half on the night

shift, no reduction • RDO option of one per fortnight • Wet weather clause in agreement• Weekly pays• Domestic violence leave. • No reduction in current conditions

TWu organiser PhIL oGDen reports


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What do I do first?If you are the driver or the person in charge of a motor vehicle involved in a crash, you must report the accident using the Online Crash Reporting Facility at www.crashreport.com.au soon after the crash, which notifies the Western Australia Police and ICWA.

Alternatively, you can report the accident to the officer in charge of the nearest police station and call ICWA on (08) 9264 3333. You will be asked for the following information:

• Date, time and location of crash;

• Licence plate details of vehicles involved;

• Circumstances of the crash; and

• Names, addresses and contact numbers of all people involved in the crash and any witnesses.

Who can make a claim?You may be able to claim if you were injured in a motor vehicle crash or if you were financially dependent on a person fatally injured in a motor vehicle crash.

Unless you are catastrophically injured in a crash, you must be able to establish that another driver of a motor vehicle was completely, or partly, at fault.

If another driver is found to be at fault, then ICWA will usually accept provisional liability on the part of their insurer, however they may also reserve the right to defend the claim in future.

There are circumstances where you may be alleged to have failed to take appropriate care for your own safety (i.e. failing to wear a seatbelt) and accordingly an apportionment of liability may be made. This in effect means that the amount of damages you may receive will be reduced.

What can I claim?You may be eligible for compensation for medical treatment expenses, care,wage loss or non-economic loss (sometimes called general damages) for pain, suffering, emotional distress (post-

traumatic stress disorder) and out of pocket expenses.

There is a statutory maximum amount of general damages (currently $406,000) which may be awarded only in what is described as a most extreme case (i.e. a person who suffers injuries that render him/her quadriplegic). There is also a deductible statutory minimum below which no general damages may be awarded ($20,500.00).

Are there any time limits?

If you are injured, you need to lodge your claim within three years from the date you first became aware of your injury (generally, this is the date of the crash).

For example, if you were involved in an accident on 30 June 2016, you must have either settled your claim or commenced proceedings in the District Court of Western Australia by 29 June 2019. Time limits also vary depending on your age and situation.

Where can I get help?

Navigating the motor vehicle accident compensation system can be a difficult process. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident and need legal assistance with your claim, contact the Union for a referral to Slater and Gordon Lawyers for a free initial consultation. We can help guide you along the way.

how to navigate a Motor vehicle accident claimLast year nearly 13,000 car crashes were recorded in WA, with more than 3,000 of those resulting in personal injury claims. Those claims are lodged with the State’s compulsory third party insurer for vehicles registered in WA, the Insurance Commission of Western Australia (ICWA).

The Motor Vehicle Third Party Personal Injury Insurance Policy is combined with the registration premium for every licensed vehicle and covers personal and fatal injury claims. In case you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being injured in a vehicle accident, here is what you’ll need to know.

"Aspirin is good for your heart. If you dissolve it on your tongue, it ruins the taste of pizza."

by slater & Gordon Lawyer caITLIn searLe


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Do You have To Go To a company Doctor? fresh sTarT

Injured at Work

Suffering an injury at work often turns into a nightmare for workers who find themselves battling uphill against employers, insurers, company doctors and the workers compensation system.

And when that happens the TWU is often their first port of call.

We provide legal back-up and have contacts with specialists in the system who have a compassion for injured workers such as rehabilitation provider Fresh Start.

Fresh Start describe themselves as “Good People Helping Good People”.

They have come to us stongly recommended and we are confident they are true to their word.

Many workers are not aware they can change rehabilitation provider or select an accredited rehabilitation provider of their own choice.

Most injured workers describe their experience on workers compensation as stressful and unpleasant. Being in pain, with limitations, financial and job insecurity, poor sleep, and the stigma of the injury, it can become very difficult to function with the pressures of rehabilitation.

Freshstart believe rehabilitation needs to be caring and supportive of injured patients, not pressuring return to work outcomes as the sole priority above and beyond symptoms and treatment.

Rehabilitation providers have a great deal of influence in a person’s case and outcome.

Many workers can feel pressured to return to work, or don’t feel they have much control over their situation while on workers compensation.

Freshstart employs good people, who care about their clients and involve them in all processes of rehabilitation. They also have many country clients, so remote locations are not an issue.

Freshstart is a Nationally Accredited Vocational Rehabilitation Provider with WorkCover WA, Medicare, and can provide services to moter vehicle accident cases.

They are an independent agency, that views the injured worker as the client.

Freshstart do not have any contractual arrangements with insurance companies or employers.

YOUR ENTITLEMENTSIf your claim is accepted, did you know?

* You can claim reasonable mileage for attending medical appointments

* You can claim weekly compensation wages

* You can claim reasonable medical expenses

* You can be referred for assistance with an Accredited Vocational Rehabilitation Provider to help you manage your return to work

* If you are returning to work on restricted duties or hours you are required to have a written Return to Work Programme

* You can ring Workcover WA on 9388 5555 to find out more about workers compensation matters

Freshstart can also offer Psychological Counselling services and establishment and monitoring of Exercise Programmes to assist with injury management.

Did You Know You Can Choose Your Own Rehabilitation Provider to Help You

Manage Your Return to Work?

Employers sending workers to their own company doctors is beginning to look like just another tactic by employers to dismiss people unfairly.Knowing your rights and where you stand on this issue can be the difference between your boss having an upper hand over you and protecting your own health.After all, your health should always be your number one priority, no matter what your circumstances.Companies do have the right to send you to their doctor. It is well within their duty of care obligations.However, knowledge is power, and before your boss books you in to the company doctor ask a few questions.For instance, WHY do they want you to go to the doctor and what are they concerned about.Of course, if you have any doubts and concerns you should call the TWU without delay.We generally advise members to book an appointment with their own doctor first - especially if there is a medical condition that needs to be managed.Your doctor can advise on a management plan that is better tailored to your health - especially when they know your medical history – knowledge that a company doctor is simply not privy to.Once you’ve seen your own doctor you might like to take your results to your company HR manager.If they see your condition is being managed they are unlikely to want to send you to their doctor.However, if they still persist, ensure you re-book with your own doctor after the company doctor’s appointment.This is to get a second opinion. Explain to your doctor what tests were conducted and request the same tests to be done.For example, say you have high blood pressure and both doctors find this is the case then your doctor can start a management plan with you.Or your doctor may have more positive results which are usually documented.It’s important you protect your rights. You stay in your job and more importantly any condition you have will be managed for a better, longer and healthier life.

If you interested in speaking to Freshstart please call Steve Curtis at the TWU on 9328 7477 and we will arrange a referral.

Know your rights and know

what is fair. And if in doubt call the TWU 9328 7477



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TWu super declares solid returns

TWUSUPER has declared its annual investment returns* for the financial year to 30 June 2016. Chief Investment Officer Andrew Killen has described the results as very solid despite tough investment markets.

“Investment markets during the year were some of the toughest we’ve seen since the GFC,” said Mr Killen.

“Despite this, TWUSUPER’s investment performance is highly competitive, when compared to a range of well-known industry and retail super funds.”

TWUSUPER has delivered above average returns over the past 10 years.

Since inception (July 1988 through to 30 June 2016), the Fund’s Balanced (MySuper) investment option has delivered 7.22% pa. If you require more information about TWUSUPER’s investment options, call 1800 222 071 from 8am to 8pm (AEST/AEDT) weekdays. * When we refer to ‘investment returns’, we are technically referring to ‘crediting rates’. The crediting rate equals the

investment earnings of each investment option less estimated tax, investment management costs and other costs. Crediting rates can be either positive or negative as they depend on investment performance. TWUSUPER often uses the term ‘investment returns’ as it is more commonly understood than crediting rates. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Perth based TWUSUPER representatives Joel Clarke and Brendon Adams are readily available if you have any queries relating to your super.

Both men are on hand to assist any way they can.

They would like to get out and see you at your depot and we can arrange site meetings to discuss all aspects of super.

They can also meet you one on one to help guide you as you work towards retirement.

Please contact Brendon on 0448 067 679 or Joel on 0407 802 190

Annual statements

TWUSUPER members will receive their annual statements in September and October. Members can check their balance by logging into twusuper.com.au/ma This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. A copy of TWUSUPER’s current Product Disclosure Statement should be obtained from us (by calling 1800 222 071 or visiting twusuper.com.au) and considered carefully before you make a decision in connection with TWUSUPER. TWU Nominees Pty Ltd ABN 67 002 835 412, AFSL 239163, is the trustee of TWUSUPER ABN 77 343 563 307 and the issuer of interests in it. Transuper and TransPersonal are divisions of TWUSUPER.

On behalf of all your work mates, Enjoy your retirement, you have bloody well-earned it.

Cheers from the crew.

TWUSUPER declares investment returns TWUSUPER has declared its annual investment returns* for the financial year to 30 June 2016. Chief Investment Officer Andrew Killen has described the results as very solid despite tough investment markets. "Investment markets during the year were some of the toughest we’ve seen since the GFC,” said Mr Killen. “Despite this, TWUSUPER’s investment performance is highly competitive, when compared to a range of well-known industry and retail super funds.”

Period to 30 June 2016

Super members % pa

Pension members % pa

Cash Plus

Balanced (MySuper)

Equity Plus

Cash Plus

Balanced Equity Plus

1 year

1.81% 3.05% 3.13% 2.17 3.45 3.59

3 years

2.03% 8.16% 9.70% 2.45 9.13 10.91

5 years

2.71% 8.17% 9.35% 3.20 9.24 10.65

10 years

3.71% 5.17% 5.16% 4.40 5.99 6.05

TWUSUPER has delivered above average returns over the past 10 years. Since inception (July 1988 through to 30 June 2016), the Fund’s Balanced (MySuper) investment option has delivered 7.22% pa. If you require more information about TWUSUPER's investment options, call 1800 222 071 from 8am to 8pm (AEST/AEDT) weekdays.

* When we refer to ‘investment returns’, we are technically referring to ‘crediting rates’. The crediting rate equals the investment earnings of each investment option less estimated tax, investment management costs and other costs. Crediting rates can be either positive or negative as they depend on investment performance. TWUSUPER often uses the term ‘investment returns’ as it is more commonly understood than crediting rates. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

Annual statements

TWUSUPER members will receive their annual statements in September and October. Members can check their balance by logging into twusuper.com.au/ma

This information is of a general nature only and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this information, you should consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. A copy of TWUSUPER’s current Product Disclosure Statement should be obtained from us (by calling 1800 222 071 or

Local super reps

Keen to help You

When: ............................................................................................. From: ............................................ To: ...............................................

Where: .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

General enquiries

1800 222 071 8am to 8pm AEST/AEDT or visit twusuper.com.au

Issued by TWU Nominees Pty Ltd ABN 67 002 835 412, AFSL No. 239163, as the trustee of TWUSUPER ABN 77 343 563 307. Before you make an investment decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement at www.twusuper.com.au or by calling the issuer TWUSUPER on 1800 222 071.

I will be available to chat and answer questions about super.

Meet Brendon

To discuss your super or to arrange an appointment please contact me:

Brendon Adams

0448 067 679 [email protected]

i

low fees all profits to members no commissions

Let me help you take control by:

Combining your super

paying less fees

growing your super

protecting you and your family

accessing a pension while working

filling out the paperwork

Bring: 1. Informationandstatementsaboutyourothersuperaccounts.

2. Copiesofyourdriver’slicenceorpassportifyouwantmetoorganise tocombineaccounts(weneedthesetoverifywhoyouare).

When: ............................................................................................. From: ............................................ To: ...............................................

Where: .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

General enquiries

1800 222 071 8am to 8pm AEST/AEDT or visit twusuper.com.au

Issued by TWU Nominees Pty Ltd ABN 67 002 835 412, AFSL No. 239163, as the trustee of TWUSUPER ABN 77 343 563 307. Before you make an investment decision, please consider the Product Disclosure Statement at www.twusuper.com.au or by calling the issuer TWUSUPER on 1800 222 071.

I will be available to chat and answer questions about super.

Meet Brendon

To discuss your super or to arrange an appointment please contact me:

Brendon Adams

0448 067 679 [email protected]

i

low fees all profits to members no commissions

Let me help you take control by:

Combining your super

paying less fees

growing your super

protecting you and your family

accessing a pension while working

filling out the paperwork

Bring: 1. Informationandstatementsaboutyourothersuperaccounts.

2. Copiesofyourdriver’slicenceorpassportifyouwantmetoorganise tocombineaccounts(weneedthesetoverifywhoyouare).

Brendon Adams

Joel Clarke


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DISCLAIMER: All articles in this magazine are published on the understanding that they are the original work of the authors, and that the views are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of items submitted, but makes every reasonable effort to verify information. Editorial staff accept no responsibility for accuracy of material submitted for publication but every effort will be made to verify information. Editorial staff reserve the right to reject, edit and rearrange any item submitted for publication.The Trade Practices Act provides severe penalties for false and misleading advertising. Because it is not possible for this magazine’s staff to check the accuracy of advertising claims, the responsibility for accuracy lies with the person or companies submitting material for publication.


On August 14, TWU Members generously donated their sunday to help letterbox the entire state electorate of Forrestfield in aid of stephen price’s campaign for the seat at the upcoming state election in March.

a big thank you to the tWu and the many others who volunteered on the day. the campaign managed to letterbox over 10,000 electors!

the liberal party member holds the electorate of Forrestfield with the tightest of margins - just 2.1%.

Forrestfield is a must win seat for Labor to win government and Stephen Price has been working hard to make this happen.

stephen has an extensive union background and he is totally committed to helping working people.

his union career stemmed from his days working as a gold miner at an alumina refinery.

he then went on to become a union Organiser with the australian Workers union up until his endorsement as Wa labor’s candidate for the state election.

prior to that he was the aWu’s state secretary in Western australia.

stephen understands the importance of collective bargaining and standing up for what is right for working people.

Western australia needs more people like stephen in our parliament so that working conditions and the broader union movement continues to get the support.

if you would like to help with stephen’s campaign, please feel

free to contact the campaign team at [email protected] or

on 0456 813 405.

TWu members back workers candidate

You Look So HappyA woman walked up to a little old wrinkled bloke rocking in a chair on his porch.

“I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long happy life?”

“I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day,” he said. “I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise.”

“That’s amazing,” the woman said. “How old are you?’

“Twenty-six,” he said.

Bruce and his mate Robbo are having a few beers and are discussing a long running dilemma.

Is giving birth more painful than getting kicked in the nuts?

Robbo says; Women believe that giving birth is more painful than a bloke getting kicked in the nuts.

Bruce, after another beer and some heavy deductive thinking, came up with the answer to that question.

Bruce reckoned that getting kicked in the nuts is more painful than having a baby.

Look mate,he said, it’s like this, OK? A year or so after giving birth, a woman will often say, “It might be nice to have another child.”

On the other hand, you never hear a bloke say, “You know, it’s been a year since my last one, I reckon I would like another kick in the nuts now.”

What’s More Painful


They’re getting divorced

free Beer

Baby on the Bus

alcohol is Dangerous

A man in Scotland calls his son in London the day before Christmas Eve and says,“I hate to ruin your day but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough.”

‘Dad, what are you talking about?’ the son screams.

“We can’t stand the sight of each other any longer” the father says. “We’re sick of each other and I’m sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Leeds and tell her.”

Franticly, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. “Like hell they’re

getting divorced!” she shouts, “I’ll take care of this!”

She calls Scotland immediately, and screams at her father “You are NOT getting divorced. Don’t do a single thing until I get there.

I’m calling my brother back, and we’ll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don’t do a thing, DO YOU HEAR ME?” and hangs up.

The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. ‘Sorted! They’re coming for Christmas - and they’re paying their own way.

A man walks into a bar and orders a drink.

Then he notices there are pieces of meat nailed to the ceiling of the bar so he asks the barman what they are for.

The barman replies, “If you can jump up and pull one of them down you get free beer all night. If you fail, you have to pay the bar £100. Do you want to have a go?”

The man thinks about it for a minute before saying, “Nah, the steaks are too high!”

A woman gets on a bus with her baby. The driver says: “Ugh, that’s the ugliest baby I’ve ever seen.”

The woman walks to the rear of the bus and sits down, fuming. She says to the man next to her: “The driver just insulted me.”

The man says: “You go up there and tell him off. Go on, I’ll hold your monkey for you.”

I just read an article on the dangers of heavy drinking...Scared me.

So that’s it! After today, no more reading.

"You have all kinds of amazing things in your utility belt...but no condoms?!?"

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moving experiences · spring 2016 official publication of the transport workers union (wa branch)...

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