The Federal Government’s Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal has commenced operations this week,  with the body set to start setting pay and conditions for truck drivers in a bid to reduce pressures forcing them to try and meet unrealistic deadlines.

 

Minister for Workplace Relations Bill Shorten said the move will significantly reduce the road toll associated with trucks, which currently sees around 250 people killed per year and over 1,000 suffer serious injuries in accidents involving trucks.

 

“We know some truck drivers are pressured to cut corners on safety and maintenance and feel they need to take illicit substances to keep them awake just to get to destinations on time,” Mr Shorten said.

 

Parliamentary Secretary for Workplace Relations Jacinta Collins said the work of the Tribunal will reduce the economic incentives for drivers to make unfair and unrealistic deadlines, cut corners on safety and maintenance, or take illicit substances to keep them awake to get to destinations on time.

 

“The Tribunal will make a real difference in improving road safety for truck drivers, their families and all Australian road users,” Senator Collins said.

 

“Research and an evidence-based approach will be used to determine pay and working conditions that do not encourage unsafe driving. All stakeholders with an interest in a matter before the Tribunal will have the opportunity to put their views forward.”

 

The Tribunal will also be able to resolve disputes involving truck drivers from 1 January 2013 and will be able to approve collective agreements between a hirer and owner drivers.

 

The Minister also announced the appointment of Tribunal Members representing Fair Work Australia (FWA) and the road transport industry.

 

The Tribunal’s President, Jennifer Acton, and the other three Tribunal members, SDP Lea Drake, Commissioner Asbury and Commissioner Hampton have a wealth of experience in dealing with workplace relations issues.

 

The Tribunal will also include four industry members, Professor Anne Williamson, Steve Hutchins, Tim Squires and Paul Ryan.  The industry members were chosen from a merit-based selection process and have a range of experience from management of a small truck fleet, research on heavy vehicle safety and experience in industrial negotiations for both big and small players within the transport and logistics industry.