Truckies protest against Coles pressure

AAP
July 25, 2012

TRUCK drivers are rallying outside Coles stores across the country calling for the retailer to be held to account for pressuring truckies and causing accidents.

Around 20 Transport Workers Union (TWU) members have gathered outside a store on Sydney’s George Street chanting anti-Coles slogans as part of a national day of action by truckies against the retailer.

The protesters say Coles is using its market power to squeeze suppliers including truck drivers, driving down conditions and safety standards.

They say some owner-drivers in the Coles supply chain are working for as little as $8.60 per hour.

TWU National Secretary Tony Sheldon told the rally Coles was putting pressure on truck drivers “every day of the week”.

“We see 5300 people seriously injured in truck incidents each year and 330 people killed in trucking incidents,” he said.

“A third of all those truck incidents are involving products carted for companies like Coles and major retailers.

“We need to see these deaths and fatalities reduced and Coles held to account.”

Retired truckie Peter Cooley said that some drivers were not servicing their vehicles because of low pay across the industry.

“Some of the drivers go without servicing their vehicles, putting new tyres on them when they need them because they can’t afford the service,” the 72-year-old told reporters on Wednesday morning.

“We need the drivers to be paid a decent wage.”

The TWU says 78 per cent of drivers would not recommend their children work in the industry because of increased cost pressures.

Comment is being sought from Coles.