![]() ![]() ![]() In real terms, 3 percent is a pay cut, especially given that Toll workers, like those at Australia Post, did not receive a pay rise at all last year. ![]() ![]() These claims serve only as an indictment of the massive assault being carried out against the Australian working class, accelerated by the pandemic and enforced by the trade unions. In current negotiations with Australia Post, the Communications Electrical and Plumbers Union (CEPU) has proudly noted that it is twice the national average. In key disputes over recent months, including at General Mills and McCormick Foods, unions have presented 3 percent (or “almost” 3 percent) annual pay rises as victories. The TWU has made no explicit mention of this bump, merely characterising the pay offer as “unacceptably low,” indicating that it may push workers to sign on to a figure short of the meagre 3 percent the union has previously demanded. The company responded to the workers’ vote to strike with a marginally increased pay rise offer, up from 1.5 percent in 2021 and 1.75 in 2022 to 2 percent each year. In fact, Toll’s annual revenue increased by almost one third to $6.3 billion for the year ending March 2021, while workers were subjected to a pay freeze as a result of the delayed negotiations. In exchange, workers were granted ten days paid pandemic leave. The previous EA expired in June 2020, but bargaining was deferred until April 2021 in a union-management deal that also allowed the company to slash jobs in the event of any downturn in volume as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The dispute is over a new enterprise agreement (EA), currently being negotiated between Toll and the TWU. The nationwide strike was called on Monday after 94 percent of Transport Workers Union (TWU) members at the company voted in favour of industrial action. “The blockade of national roads and highways, most likely using hijacked trucks, will likely take place in order to intensify the pressure on the government to address their grievance with the use of foreign truck drivers by South African trucking companies,” Transnet said in a statement.Around 7,000 Toll truck drivers will strike for 24 hours on Friday. “The SAPS has advised that disruptive action is expected from ATDF (All truck Driver Forum) and affiliates on national and provincial roads this weekend, 26 and 27 Feb, which will be focused on halting truck movements. Meanwhile, Transnet also warned that disruptive action is expected. He said continued violence in the industry could lead to investors, importers, and exporters opting to use routes in neighbouring countries. Members are very concerned and we are tired of this thing dragging on for so long as the government seems to be failing to resolve this,” he said. “Whenever there is such a shutdown, trucks end up being damaged and torched. He furthermore told the media that they made a call to the police to ensure that the truck operators and the trucks are kept safe, and the ATDF members should not be allowed to perpetrate any scene of violence. CALL MADE TO POLICE TO ENSURE TRUCK OPERATORS ARE SAFE Kelly said law enforcement agencies have also been alerted about the shutdown and areas they need to focus on. The Road Freight Association represents the truck owners. ![]()
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