By CASEY NEILL
BANGHOLME is among picket sites across the state in a tip truck driver dispute.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) is leading a campaign for higher pay rates.
Cory Michael was involved in a blockade behind Bunurong Memorial Park on Fernside Drive.
“It’s the access point for the tippers because they’re doing some work,” he said.
“The dispute is not with the cemetery. They just are a customer that happened to be using the guys.”
TWU organiser Luke McCrone said the union was trying to negotiate owner driver agreements.
“The situation has become quite desperate in the industry with the rates getting lower and lower,” he said.
“What we’re seeing is people having no choice but to think twice about necessary repairs, replacing tyres – those sorts of things that make the vehicle safe on the road.
“The way they’re being paid is often on a load rate.
“They’re given unrealistic expectations about how many loads they can do in a day.”
Mr McCrone said unlawful behaviour like speeding was creeping into the industry to meet these expectations.
“Ultra-competitiveness and constant pressure on the rates is the problem,” he said.
