WA Transport History

The History of the West Australian Road Transport Industry

By Russell McKinnon

1973

The Association met with members of the Transport Workers’ Union on August 28 in a hope of ending the owner-driver sub-contractor strike, to no effect. It was reported to the September 11 Executive Council Meeting that most sub-contractors had returned to work after 13 days. It mainly involved drivers of milk tankers and food delivery trucks. An ironic hangover from the 1970 Federal award decision, it arose because some WA drivers were not covered by a new Federal award. Employers were willing, but unable, to pay them the difference because State arbitration procedures did not permit such agreements while a strike was in progress. It took changes to State awards to resolve the impasse.

President W Roots transferred to Sydney and offered his resignation. I Chandler replaced him and Mr L Hall was elected as a Vice-President. Mr R Sudlow of Smith Allan Pty Ltd was elected to the Executive on October 31. Mr Roots offered his services as proxy delegate to the ARTF should he be needed at Sydney meetings.

1974

Vice-President T F O’Brien indicated his decision to leave Bell Bros Pty Ltd and start a new business called Bellway Pty Ltd

The Association attended every meeting of the Road Transport Inquiry. The Chairman, Mr D Sanders, was to have written the report but unexpectedly died before he could finish the task. The TWU wanted support for the re-opening of the inquiry, which has been completed, but the Association did not agree.

The decision to raise a State tax on fuel in lieu of road tax was to be discussed with the Minister for Transport, the April 3 Executive Council Meeting was told.

The Furniture Removers’ Division held a successful meeting on April 23 with 21 members attending at 7.30pm, a time indicated to be the best. The meeting heard that a Federal award for clerical staff within the transport industry, except WA, was established. A film depicting furniture removals in the United States was shown, followed by refreshments. Attendees were from Grace Bros, Gill’s Transport, Esperance Removals, Ipec Removals, Gascoyne Trading, AAA Transport, Warren’s Removals, Wridgways, Bedford Carrying Service, Brambles Manford, Nathan’s Transport, Carry-A-Long, ABC Carriers, Vost’s Removals and Bep Transport. area be increased by 23.55 percent from July 8. The June 26 meeting showed that the percentage increases for all spheres were: Metropolitan 25.66; Inter-State 15; NorthWest 18.5; furniture up to 34.9; railroad inter-State 17.5 and subsequently increased by a further 12 percent to allow for WAGR rail freight increases. The application for the price increases to the Prices Justification Tribunal were delayed somewhat.

Mr L Hall was named to the National Road Transport Industry Training Council at the July 17 Executive Council Meeting. Meetings were also agreed to start at 9am in future.

There was another strike over wages in August, this time affecting MTT passenger services as well as deliveries of fuel, milk and food. Before it ended, the Liberal/Country Party Government, led

Vice-President T F O’Brien indicated his decision to leave Bell Bros Pty Ltd and start a new business called Bellway Pty Ltd

A Special Meeting of the Executive Council on May 2 was held to discuss the recent national wage decision resulting in an increase of two percent plus $2.50 per week, effective from May 23. A review of the operating costs, using the Association’s formula, indicated a cost increase of 4.41 percent. The Association thus increased all transport and allied service charges be increased by 4.41 percent from June 1. InterState rates would be increased by 2 percent except to NSW, which would be 6 percent. This was rescinded on May 15 (although the Minute Book says the meeting was May 4 and not May 2) to await the outcome of negotiations with the Transport Workers’ Union. At the June 5 Executive Council Meeting the decision was announced as a $25.40 weekly increase with four weeks’ annual leave, casual, meal and travelling allowances. It was thus resolved that all general cartage rates in the metropolitan by Sir Charles Court, announced plans for emergency legislation to protect fuel and energy supplies; a citizens’ organisation recruited 2000 indignant footsloggers for a mass protest march to Perth Trades Hall.

The extension to the free trading area finally happened and was announced to the Quarterly Meeting on August 22. It had been lifted from the old 25 miles to 50km (31 miles).

Vice-President T F O’Brien indicated his decision to leave Bell Bros Pty Ltd and start a new business called Bellway Pty Ltd.

The Executive Council Meeting of June 26 lifted the salary of the executive officers. Mr R Tyson was also named Assistant to Executive Director. Both he and Executive Director W R Pellew were granted four weeks’ annual leave.

Association nomination fees and subscriptions rose by a whopping 37.5 percent in 1974.

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