The Transport Workers' Union of Australia (TWU) is a trade union representing workers in various transport sectors. It has five main branches, covering the Australian Capital Territory/New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria/Tasmania, South Australia/Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The TWU's primary focus areas include road transport, commercial aviation, and more recently, gig economy workers.

The TWU is a progressive union based on the organising model. The TWU is affiliated with the Australian Council of Trade Unions and the International Transport Workers' Federation. In South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, the union is affiliated with the Labor Right. The TWU is considered to be one of the most powerful unions in the Labor Right faction of the Australian Labor Party.

The history of the Transport Workers' Union is partly a story of the technological and economic changes to the ways people and goods have been transported across the history of Australia. Its main beliefs are that the free market cannot be relied upon to create a safe, efficient and viable transport industry, and that transport workers should stand together to strive for better pay and conditions.

History

Background

In the 1880s, small independent unions of drivers sprang up in the colonies of Australia. Many of these unions were short-lived. It was an extremely competitive industry. A self-employed carrier could set himself up with a basic horse and cart for a relatively small sum of money, and drivers, too, were in chronic oversupply. Conditions were poor and wage-earning drivers worked very long hours for low rates of pay. Much of the available work was casual and seasonal.

After the turn of the century, small specialised transport unions were established throughout Australia. These included separate unions of milk carters, bread carters, and fuel and fodder carters. Numbers of wage-earning drivers increased in the major cities during this period as carrying firms grew in size, stimulated by growth in manufacturing. Wharves and railway depots were also important sources of work for drivers. By 1903 it was reported that work had become more stable and less casual. However, conditions were still poor. Drivers could be expected to work up to 19 hours a day. Wages were generally between 25 and 35 shillings a week.

Early history

thumb|Members of the Tasmanian branch of the Federated Carters and Drivers Union at an Eight-Hour-Day Parade, circa 1920.

Growth in the transport sector provided a stimulus for carters' unions to reorganise themselves to make them a stronger force. This led to the federal registration of the Federated Carters and Drivers' Industrial Union in 1906. This union is the direct predecessor of today's TWU.

While other parts of the economy experienced difficult times in the years 1914–1939, rapid technological change made road transport a dynamic and rapidly expanding industry. There was an explosion in numbers of commercial motor vehicles in Australia during the 1920s. Advances in truck construction and decreasing costs made road transport a serious competitor to the railways for the first time. These changes put the union in a stronger position to fight for shorter working hours and other improved conditions. However, the union itself had to adapt and make the transition from the horse-drawn era to the new world of trucks and cars.

In 1925, representatives of the Federated Carters and Drivers' Industrial Union, the Trolley, Draymen and Carters' Union and the Motor Transport and Chauffeurs' Association met to plan the establishment of a new union capable of representing all persons employed in connection with the transport of people or goods by road. This led to the Amalgamated Road Transport Workers Union becoming federally registered in 1928.

Recent history

When the conservative Howard government came into power in 1996, the TWU faced new challenges. The focus of membership retention turned to a more organising focus as compulsory membership was made illegal under the Workplace Relations Act 1996. Before this time, union members and organisers could pressure non-union truck drivers against entering union-dominated workplaces.

Membership declined rapidly, but picked up in following years—almost every state increasing membership by 2004. Targeted recruitment and retention campaigns proved successful for the union, as well as increased co-operation between state branches.

In 2006, Federal Secretary John Allan resigned. He was replaced by NSW Secretary Tony Sheldon as Acting Federal Secretary. The head office location was moved from Melbourne to Sydney.

National Secretary Sheldon led the union to success in the 'Safe Rates' campaign with the passing of legislation to establish the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal in 2012. The union continues industrial action in the wake of the 2011 Qantas industrial disputes.

In 2021, the Transport Workers Union took Qantas to court over the dismissal of 1685 baggage handlers and cleaners during the COVID-19 pandemic, whose roles were later outsourced. The TWU argued that the airline’s actions contravened the Fair Work Act, while Qantas claimed it had to make the cuts to ensure the company's survival during the pandemic. In July 2021, the Federal Court of Australia ruled in favour of the TWU, with Qantas losing an appeal in May 2022, before the case moved to the High Court of Australia in May 2023. In September 2023, the High Court ruled against Qantas, upholding the original Federal Court decision and leaving the airline liable for compensation. After the verdict Qantas issued an apology to the sacked workers.

Industries covered

The union has coverage throughout 47 sectors of the transport industry including:

  • Road transport (passenger and freight)
  • Aviation (ground services, catering, guest services, cabin crew, pilots, airfreight and cargo, refuellers)
  • Oil, fuel and gas
  • Armoured vehicle drivers, guards and staff
  • Waste and recycling industry workers
  • Forklift drivers and dock hands
  • Clerical staff in the transport industry
  • Bus and coach drivers
  • On-demand rideshare and food delivery riders and drivers

Whilst technically having wide coverage, the TWU largely focuses on road transport, warehouse distribution, airline operations, bus drivers and the waste industry.

The TWU's coverage of gas industry staff extends from its amalgamation with The Federated Gas Employees Industrial Union (FGEIU) in 1997. South Australia is the only state to have an extensive membership in this industry as it was the base of the FGIEU. It is the only state to have a gas industry sub-branch.

References

Bibliography

  • TWU NSW Branch. Proud To Be A TWU Member: Transport Workers Tell Their Stories, 1999
  • National Office website
  • New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory Branch website
  • Queensland Branch website
  • South Australia/Northern Territory Branch website
  • Victoria/Tasmania Branch website
  • Western Australia Branch website