Transport Groups Unite, Call for Enforceable Industry Standards

Original article published by the NSCA Foundation

At a recent roundtable convened by Minister for Workplace Relations Tony Burke, major transport operators, Woolworths, Coles, Uber, DoorDash, industry associations and the Transport Workers Union (TWU) backed a shared set of principles calling for reform to set enforceable standards across the industry. The roundtable called for urgent action to ensure a safe, sustainable, viable and fair road transport industry for all supply chain participants, including independent contractors and non-employee transport workers in the on-demand and rideshare economy.

The principles state that reform could include adequately resourcing an independent body administered by persons with industry expertise or better empowering existing bodies. This independent authority would establish and maintain appropriate and enforceable standards in relation to traditional transport operations and on-demand delivery and rideshare platform work. The independent body would also promote best practice supply and contract chain industry standards, resolve disputes, ensure transport workers are able to access and contribute to an effective collective voice, and convene specialist advisory groups from the industry to provide advice and recommendations.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said that the principles are a powerful blueprint for reform backed by every section of the industry. “If adopted by the federal government, a standard-setting body would enable transport to emerge from an industry dominated by deadly economic pressures at every level of the supply chain, to a safe, secure and viable industry where all participants can thrive. Australia’s leading supermarkets, global gig companies, major transport operators, employer associations and workers are aligned and we invite others across the industry to join us. An industry coalition calling in unity for our system to be modernised in line with the reality of today’s transport industry is the strongest endorsement the federal government can receive to act quickly and with the backing of industry to get life-saving reform off the ground,” Kaine said.

The broad transport coalition united to address the industry pressures caused by the Australian legal framework falling behind changes in the industry, including the rise of the on-demand economy and new types of work arrangements.

Peter Anderson, National Secretary of employer group ARTIO, said that the outcome of the roundtable could not be clearer, with transport clients, employers, workers and gig companies calling for the security of enforceable industry standards. “Although this group may not always see eye to eye, our unity … shows how critical it is for the federal government to act. Transport is an essential industry for Australia. Over the last two years, pandemic pressures, flooding and global unrest have demonstrated how important transport is and how volatile supply chains have become. It’s in the best interests of the entire community to have a system that can support a viable transport industry,” Anderson said.

Arthur Tzaneros, CEO and Port Logistics Managing Director of ACFS, also called for change, stating that it is getting harder to recruit new people to the industry because it’s not considered a viable career. “As a large transport employer, I have seen the divide caused by the emergence of the gig economy and the pressure it’s putting on the industry. We have major retailers Coles and Woolworths alongside operators and workers calling for reform because we all need the protection of regulation to make transport a safe, sustainable industry. Every day it’s harder to be a top-tier, safe provider of logistics services,” Tzaneros said.

‍