Chemical drivers urge pay caution
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• Fear that outside contractors may be invited to bid for work in the gas and chemical industries is spurring TGWU drivers to urge caution on their leaders in the current pay round.
According to TGWU official Bill Hodge, several drivers have voiced their concern that they may lose their jobs unless pay awards are kept low: "I have already told them that wages are not a substantial consideration in terms of the companies' overall cost for vehicles," says Hodge.
"Our drivers are extremely skilled and experienced and the service they provide to the customer on their employers' behalf would not be matched by outside contractors," he adds. "If the companies chose to go to outside firms it would be detrimental to their business and not cost-effective in the long term."
Drivers' pay settlements in the gas and chemical sector amounted to an average of 5% last year.