Media Release: FIRST Union
Tuesday June 19, 2012

Law change needed to stop unsafe truck driver practises

The union for road transport workers says a law change is needed to stop unsafe practises by truck drivers on New Zealand’s roads.

The Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency has highlighted drug use in the heavy vehicle industry, following ‘Operation AUSTRANS’ during May in both countries, targeting fatigue, drug use and other road safety issues.

New Zealand needed to follow Australia’s lead and bring in law to stop truck drivers having pay systems that encouraged unsafe practises, said Karl Andersen, FIRST Union Transport & Logistics Secretary.

“Owner drivers are under immense pressure to make a living. Many are tied into contracts, that their boss can change at will, that demand outputs that cannot be met without compromising the safety of themselves and other road users,” he said.

“This leads to drivers taking short cuts, running bald tires, breaking driver regulations, and in some cases using stimulants to get through.”

“Drivers work very long hours and face significant disruption to their family time. They shouldn’t also have to work in an unsafe environment and put themselves and others at risk.”

Australia’s Road Safety Remuneration Act, which comes into force next month, was brought in to make sure truck drivers do not have remuneration related incentives to work in an unsafe manner, Karl Andersen said.

New Zealand needed to follow suit, and the union was organising a seminar on the matter in September to step up the campaign to get a better deal for owner drivers, he said.

Ends.

Background:

Australia’s Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012 comes into effect on July 1st 2012.

The object of the Act is to promote safety and fairness in the road transport industry by:
a) ensuring that road transport drivers do not have remuneration related incentives to work in an unsafe manner;
b) removing remuneration related incentives, pressures and practices that contribute to unsafe work practices;
c) ensuring that road transport drivers are paid for their work, including loading or unloading their vehicles or waiting for someone else to load or unload their vehicles;
d) developing and applying reasonable and enforceable standards throughout the road transport industry supply chain to ensure the safety of road transport drivers;
e) ensuring that hirers of road transport drivers and participants in the supply chain take responsibility for implementing and maintaining those standards;
f) facilitating access to dispute resolution procedures relating to remuneration and related conditions for road transport drivers.

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