Lessons from the trucking strike

The failure of last week’s trucking strike is a tribute to the commonsense of Australia’s truck drivers, ATA Chairman Trevor Martyn said.

“Last weekend, Australians were warned that 80 per cent of the country’s truck drivers were about to go on strike for two weeks,” Martyn said.

“The organisers of the strike claimed that shops would run out of food within three days, and that water would have to be rationed because the treatment plants would run out of chemicals. And of course there was the notorious email warning that the safety of anyone who chose to keep working could not be guaranteed.

“Despite these threats, the strike failed, with Australia’s major trucking companies reporting no significant disruption. It failed because Australia’s truck drivers recognised that going on strike would not fix the issues facing our industry.

“Many people in the trucking industry are doing it tough, and there is enormous frustration, particularly about the forthcoming fatigue laws.

“But our industry’s issues can only be fixed through professionalism, high standards, and by talking to governments. The ATA and its member organisations have achieved enormous wins for the industry by taking this approach, although we recognise there is always more to do.

“The lesson of the strike is that operators and drivers who want to support the industry should join an ATA member organisation. The ATA and its member organisations give the trucking industry a voice and a real chance to influence the federal and state governments.

“In contrast, going on strike and threatening to beat people up will never get results,” Martyn said.