STRIKE ACTION
IN JANUARY
VENTIA COURT SECURITY OFFICERS WALK FOR SAFE WAGES!
Court Security and Custodial Officers employed by Ventia marched on the Supreme Court on Friday the 17th of January, demanding fair wages, safety at work and better conditions.
Escalating their campaign for fair pay with an eight-hour stoppage, the action comes as frustration mounts over the Labor Government's failure to commit funding toward "safe wages" for these essential workers, despite previous assurances.
"SAFE
WAGES ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE"
The TWU is calling on the State Government, demanding they give a firm commitment to fund wage rates equivalent to Ventia's competitors for officers, and ensure the safety of workers, prisoners, and the public.
Ventia's Court Security and Custodial Officers earn up to 24% less than their counterparts under similar contracts.
This pay disparity continues to undermine staff retention and safety in a high-risk work environment.
Standing Strong Together!
K&S ENERGY FUELS TAKE ACTION!
TWU members from K&S Energy Fuels walked off the job twice in one week. These 24 hour strikes slowed supply chains and impacted fuel supply to major service stations, including AMPOL and Costco.
Workers are demanding fair wages and conditions, and are fighting to get significant issues resolved in their negotiations.
These key issues include:
✅ Abolishment of a Yard Rate: Workers are calling for the removal of the current yard rate system, which financially penalises them for taking time off work, such as on public holidays, long-service leave and sick leave. Under this system, they are paid significantly less when not on the road, creating a disincentive for rest and recovery.
✅ Pathway to 15% Super: A pathway to 15% superannuation contributions to ensure dignity in retirement. Over 40,000 transport workers on TWU agreements already earn 15% super.
✅ Cost-of-Living Adjustments: A wage rise that keeps pace with the rising cost of living.
K&S Fuels drivers are among the lowest-paid fuel delivery drivers in the industry.
Despite the company’s profit before tax of $41.3 million, its wage offer fails to address the mounting financial pressures faced by workers.
Updates to come.
Watch this space!
SCAN CODE TO WATCH!
DNATA GROUND STRIKE OVER EAST!
Over a thousand Dnata ground workers from QLD, NSW SA and VIC walked off the job in January, calling for better pay and conditions to rebuild decent aviation jobs.
This strike forced the company back to the table and members have now locked in rostering improvements including maximum 6 rostered consecutive shifts, minimum 48 hour rest periods and 7 days’ notice of rostering changes, and improvements to shift penalty rates.
The deal delivers pay rises of up to 12% over
2 years, rostering and work-life balance, as well as a commitment from the company that it will pursue a better aviation industry with the TWU.
WA workers at Dnata ground are not covered by this National Agreement, but are instead on a TWU Agreement local to them.
Negotiations in WA are currently underway and the workers are fighting for a deal that is as strong as their counterparts in the East!
THE MOST IMPORTANT FEDERAL ELECTION FOR TRANSPORT WORKERS IN GENERATIONS
The countdown to the 2025 Federal Election is well and truly underway.
The past thirty years have seen constant attacks on workers’ rights and the rights of their unions from conservative governments.
THIS Labor Government has recognised workers have been going backwards for decades and, to their credit have implemented the most significant pro-worker Industrial Relations reforms in over three decades.
With new IR settings in place to help workers secure better wages and conditions it is vital workers, and particularly Transport Workers don’t waste our votes.
So why should Transport Workers be supportive of THIS Labor Government?
Firstly, since being elected Labor has passed three separate pieces of legislation designed to get workers’ wages moving again.
The final piece of Labor’s three-part reform of our Industrial Relations system was our hard fought and won Transport Reform legislation.
Passed at the beginning of 2024 and enacted last August, Transport Reform:
✅ Established a specialised Transport Panel within the FWC – the Road Transport Advisory Group (RTAG)
✅ Allows the TWU to make applications against big companies to ensure fair rates of pay and strong safety standards within supply chains
✅ Provides the capacity to set standards in the Gig economy
✅ Allows for minimum rates for all kinds of transport workers – employees, owner drivers, gig workers
Already the TWU have lodged three applications to the RTAG. They are:
�� A “last mile” application to ensure fair competition for companies like FedEx, Star Track, TGE against the myriads of courier companies or Amazon Flex that are undercutting to get larger market share.
�� An application guaranteeing a maximum 30-day payment period for owner drivers
��The first ever application to regulate parts of the Gig economy.
transport workers.
The legislation is world first.
As we utilise the new system, we will be able to halt the race to the bottom, where clients continually cut cartage rates and transport companies pass those cuts on in terms of either lower wages, cutting corners on safety or outsourcing.
The future of transport for workers has never been brighter!
Secondly, the Coalition has vowed to remove these reforms as they did with the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal in 2016. They want a free for all in transport because they know what that brings – high profits for big business and lower wages for Transport Workers.
Thirdly, your union has more influence over this government than any other. There are four former TWU officials sitting on the Labor benches, including the Deputy Prime Minister.
All of them understand the challenges of our industry and all advocated for the Transport Reform legislation.
Finally, Labor is managing the economy better than the Coalition – and not relying on low wages to do it!
LABOR GOVERNMENT
When Labor took office the policy settings of the Coalition had left inflation at 6.1% and rising, wages growth at 2.2% and stagnant and 9 consecutive budget deficits.
As Labors changes have taken root, inflation has fallen from the Liberals 6.1% to Labor's 2.4%.
Wages growth has accelerated from the Liberals 2.2% to Labor’s 3.5%.
And after a decade of Liberal deficits Labor has delivered two consecutive budget surpluses.
Workers have borne the brunt of the Pandemic and its aftermath.
But THIS Labor government has delivered lower inflation, higher wages and responsible budgeting. They are positive trends that need to continue.
Put Transport Reform into the mix and it’s obvious that this federal election is the most important for Transport Workers in decades.
Each application, when finalised, will improve the earnings of and job security for thousands of
DUTTON’S (NOT SO) SUPER PLAN
Dutton and the Liberals have announced plans to cut employer superannuation payments back to 9%, signaling his agenda for workers will be little more than a return to the low wage policies of the last Coalition government.
Dutton has announced that if elected he will slash employer contributions to super back to 9%.
They are currently 11.5%, scheduled to reach 12% on July 1 this year.
Despite voting against every single industrial relations reform, every single cost of living relief measure and the recast tax cuts that gave EVERY Australian a reduction in their tax bill, Dutton says his (not so) Super plan will be good for workers because they will be able to access that money now.
Suddenly Dutton wants you to believe he is the workers friend.
Look closer though, and you see what his plan really means for workers:
❌ If the 3% cut in Super is passed on, not one extra cent will come from the bosses pocket. You will pay for your own pay rise.
❌ You will pay more tax to the government even though your total wage and super package won’t increase. Currently Super contributions are taxed at 15%. If converted to a pay increase, that money will be taxed at 30 or 37%.
❌ Your Superannuation will lose tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Currently someone on $60,000 receiving an extra 3% Super can expect their retirement balance to increase:
■ At age 25
■ At age 35
■ At age 45
■ At age 55
$383,032,
$178,631,
$74,214,
$23,387.
So, Dutton’s plan to reduce your Super by 3% is going to cost workers literally tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars over their working life and you’ll pay more tax.
Not surprisingly Dutton’s plan will cost workers a hell of a lot but won’t cost bosses one cent extra.
If Dutton really cared he would back Labor’s industrial relations reforms that are already starting to help workers and pledge to keep them in place.
He would support higher wages and better job security. Instead, he wants to remove your new industrial freedoms, raid your piggy bank and tax you more – just so his mates can keep their record profits.
RIDESHARE SURVEY
New rights and legal protections for gig workers were won thanks to years of fighting by TWU members. Now, we need your voice to help shape our application to the Fair Work Commission. If you work in Rideshare we want to hear from you! Share your experiences and have your say at www.twuaus.com/RideshareSurvey or scan the QR code
TWU WINS OVER $100,000 FOR 4 MEMBERS ONLY 17 DAYS INTO 2025!
2025 is off to a great start for TWU members after our legal team has already accumulated $100,000 for TWU members over 4 separate cases.
These include unfair dismissal claims, as well as a general protections claim and a wage claim.
We remind our members to always keep evidence of any wrongdoing at their workplace.
Whether that wrongdoing is related to underpayments, unfair dismissals or potential violations of your Enterprise Agreement or award so we can fight for you, at the depot or in the courts.
When the going gets tough, the TWU will always go into bat for our members!
WAGE THEFT IS ILLEGAL!
AS OF JANUARY 1ST 2025 THANKS TO UNION MEMBERS
Wage theft costs workers $1.35 Billion Dollars every year! Union members have spoken and they have had enough! Thanks to union members, deliberate wage theft is now a federal criminal offence. Employers caught stealing from workers face fines of up to $7.8 million and even jail time. If you’re being underpaid, know your rights and contact your union.
10AM SUNDAY 4TH MAY
FREMANTLE ESPLANADE PARK
HEAPS OF FAMILY FUN REGISTER NOW:
INTERNATIONAL
FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY
NORTHBRIDGE PIAZZA (142 LAKE STREET, NORTHBRIDGE)
Join TWU Delegates, Organisers and Activists in commemorating International Women’s Day 2025 at a special event leading up to the WA State Election. “My Rights, My Body, My Vote” this year’s theme underscores the enduring relevance of the women’s rights movement and aims to spark meaningful dialogue about the empowerment, autonomy, and societal participation of women. Register at the QR code attached.
Simply be a financial member through March to in the running to win one of the great TWU prizes. If you're on a yearly or half yearly subscription, pay your dues by February 28th!
Prize Draw includes members who have already paid their 2025 fees & fully financial members who pay their fees by Direct Debit or Payroll Deduction. Winners Drawn March 2025!