I WRITE this letter to seek the support of your readers to ask Members of the House of Representatives representing electorates in NSW to vote in favour of the Road Safety Remuneration Bill, which will come before Parliament in the coming months.
The Bill aims to make our roads safer for all Australians. In particular, it will establish a tribunal, which will ease the pressure on truck drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Trucking is Australia's deadliest industry, with in the region of 300 deaths annually.
A recent survey by the Transport Workers' Union found that many drivers report almost one day a week in unpaid waiting time; drivers often forego truck maintenance due to financial pressures; they often drive too fast, and many drive longer than legally allowed as a result of client pressure.
To support us in our campaign to make our roads safer for all Australians, I ask your readers to email or telephone their local Member of the House of Representatives and ask them to support the Road Safety Remuneration Bill 2011.
Alternatively, they can write to their MP at: PO Box 6022, House of Representatives, Parliament House, ACT 2600.
Visit www.twu.com.au/ makeourroadssafer for details.
WAYNE FORNO
State Secretary
Transport Workers Union of NSW
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