'Safe rates' legislation needed in New Zealand also
Friday 26 October 2012, 2:44PM
By FIRST Union
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A law change is needed to stop unsafe practises by truck drivers on New Zealand’s roads, the drivers’ union said today, ahead of a special briefing later this morning on new legislation protecting Australian drivers.
FIRST Union is this morning hosting a seminar in Auckland with the instigators of Australian legislation addressing the impact of truck driver remuneration systems that encourage unsafe practises.
Industry representatives from road transport peak bodies, logistics firms, political parties and unions are being briefed on the legislation by Michael Kaine of the Transport Workers Union of Australia.
Karl Andersen, FIRST Union Transport & Logistics Secretary, said a law change is also needed here.
He said two reports out in June highlighted the problems truck drivers face in New Zealand.
“A Waikato University report showing that unsustainable margins for livestock trucking operators was leading to dangerous practices, echoed a report from the Policing Advisory Agency highlighting drug use in the heavy vehicle industry, by drivers working long hours and using stimulants to stay awake,” he said.
“The common theme across both reports was inadequate remuneration leading to unsafe practices on our roads.”
“Truckies work in an industry that drives down their margins, leading them to take risks and compromise the safety of themselves and other road users.
“They 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.”
“Safe rates legislation is one part of the picture. It is just a tool, and it needs to be enforced, and drivers need to have the confidence to hold participants in the supply chain to account. But it is a very important first step.”
“Australian legislators have taken the lead on this issue, and we will continue to raise this in New Zealand also,” Karl Andersen said.
About the speaker
Michael Kaine is the National Assistant Secretary of the Transport Workers’ Union of Australia. He was elected to that position in 2006. Before, he was the Chief Legal Advisor to the Transport Workers’ Union of NSW. Michael was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1999, and prior to taking up a position with the TWU he was employed in the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office, working in the areas of community law, commercial law and torts.
About Australia’s new law
In July this year, the Road Safety Remuneration Act 2012 came into force in Australia. It is understood to be the world’s first law that makes clients responsible for the safe transportation of their goods.
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.