Union takes on Toll

PERTH — Braving blustery winds and rain, 40 people joined a picket organised by the Rail, Tram and Bus Union outside the Kewdale depot of freight forwarders Toll on 12 August.

As part of a nationwide campaign to force Toll to negotiate seriously over an enterprise agreement, a 24-hour stoppage was endorsed by union members at the depot. The stoppage has been backed by other unions, including the Maritime Union of Australia and the Transport Workers Union.

Toll is working hard to extend its influence into Australia and New Zealand's freight forwarding business, taking over many smaller operators and outports. Toll is stalling on existing agreements over work and conditions, apparently emboldened by the federal government's impending industrial relations "reforms".

Ian Jamieson

From Green Left Weekly, August 17, 2005.

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From GLW issue 638