Over to you A FAIR GO FOR OWNER DRIVERS by Ray Pratt
Bob was a stickler for obtaining the right rate to have proper recovery of his costs. The writing was on the wall for Bob as costs were increasing and rates were decreasing
OWNER DRIVERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY
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wner Drivers play an important role in the transport industry in this fine country of ours. For many, it is not just a job but a way of life, and in many cases, it dominates everything we do. The enthusiasm of many Owner Drivers shows in the way that they look after their trucks, load their freight, and conduct themselves as they travel the highway. Many a friendship is forged with fellow truck drivers as they share experiences and knowledge as they travel together. So with all this in mind, it came as a bit of a shock when a friend recently called me and said that his truck was for sale and his driving days as an Owner Driver were finished. My friend whom I will call Bob said that he had battled for many years to survive in this cutthroat industry but as conditions for truck drivers deteriorated he decided it was time to call it quits.
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WATM • July 2020
Bob had a passion for trucks like you would not believe. Like most of us, he started driving as a company driver for many different companies before he took the plunge and brought an old banger for himself. The truck was old but he nurtured it along and slowly built it up as the money became available until he had it up to a standard that he was happy with. Everything was rebuilt and with a new coat of paint, it looked the part as it travelled up and down the highway. Every time he came it home it was serviced, washed, and cleaned until it sparkled. The truck was a credit to him and with work ethics to match the truck he was always busy. After a few years and with some good paying work he took the plunge again and brought a brand new truck. Years passed and with plenty of hard work the truck soon had over a million kilometres under its wheels.
Bob was keen to notch up another million kilometres so the truck had a bit of a facelift and he was on the way again. Work was still plentiful but rates were not keeping pace with costs and customers were taking longer to pay their accounts. Bob saw a lot of Australia through the windscreen of his truck as he kept following work. He kept on quoting on work but most times other operators were putting in cheaper prices just to get the job. Bob was a stickler for obtaining the right rate to have proper recovery of his costs. The writing was on the wall for Bob as costs were increasing and rates were decreasing. Bob wasn’t getting any younger even though he had quite a few years of work left in him. Operating a truck was getting harder to the point that he admitted defeat and made the painful decision. The truck was sold and another Owner Driver has bit the dust with his dreams shattered. Bob is not the only one with this story. I have heard the same scenario many times. The industry is losing a valuable asset that they could ill afford to lose. The skill and experience he has are now wasted as his life takes another direction. The transport industry has been crying out for many years for help because it is failing these operators. It’s easy to buy a truck and go to work. All you need is to drop your rates and you can have all the work you want. The trouble is that it’s not sustainable. Big multinationals dictate the transport rates to maximise their profits which are also not sustainable. The transport industry is in trouble and is slowly imploding from within. Bob is disillusioned with the transport industry and is looking for other means of employment. I cannot help but keep thinking that we need reform in our industry if it is to survive. Keep it safe, Ray Pratt.
