Townsville Bulletin

Transport workers on strike

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THE Transport Workers’ Union has vowed “the battle is not over” after thousands of Toll workers walked off the job on Friday after the collapse of last-minute talks between the union and logistics company.

About 6000 of Toll’s 7000 employees – including truck drivers, warehouse staff, and distributi­on workers joined the 24-hour strike across the country, according to the union.

The action could disrupt supply chains for food and fuel but would not impact emergency services or medical goods.

The union held a last-ditch attempt to reach a bargaining agreement with Toll on Thursday, but decided to strike when that fell through.

TWU lead negotiator Mike Mcness met Toll employees at their Port Melbourne dock as they began striking on Thursday midnight, and said the union will be meeting with Toll again early next week.

Toll’s global express business president, Alan Beacham, said the company had reduced its use of casuals and fleet operators by more than 30 per cent over the past three years, “despite challengin­g conditions and a reduction in revenue”.

Mr Mcness said Toll was trying to “undermine” the “hard fought” conditions of the permanent workforce.

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