FCL REUNION

Can you believe its been 15 years since Linfox bought FCL? Report from Member & Veteran Bruce ‘Sproga’ Spaul

On Saturday 6 of November there was a reunion / get together held at the Kewdale Tavern for the old gearjammers and past employees of FCL.

It has been 15 years since Linfox bought FCL in a strategic bid to compete with industry giants like Toll at the time.

15 years is a long time to still see the FCL logo on containers around Australia on rail and out on the road.

FCL had a lot of premium business partners like Nestles, Target and Cadburys and was the first company to introduce 48’ foot containers and also 10.6’ high containers onto rail, FCL had around 3000 thousand of their own containers and did a roaring trade in the freight forwarding game.

It was a credit to the owner Bill Gibbins who was a forward and innovative thinker and his company was the first to move to Parkes and set up business there which is now called the Parkes National Logistics Terminal he was a great bloke to work for, who knew the value of appreciating his workers and the power of being a union member.

We used to joke that FCL stands for “family comes last”. When really it stood for Full Container Load. But unfortunately that’s the nature of transport, and the reason that even though we have good bosses (few and far between) it’s important to be in the union.

Unions fight for family friendly hours, an

Both drivers have moved on to try something different but should be acknowledged that their work has left Rivet better than before. Some true unionism and commitment to leaving a better, more prosperous workplace for the future, and not just for themselves.

Report by State Secretary TIM DAWSON

Congratulations to you both, we hope you’ll take the TWU with you to your next workplace and stay union.

I would like to also thank, the bargaining reps, Tommy Camilo, Ross (Jesus) Cartner, Wayne Craig, Karl Jorgensen and Graham Lee. Well, done to each and every one of you.

Your work will lead to Rivet being a company of choice that is leading the way in pay and conditions. This agreement is set in stone and can not be changed.

There is always more to do, and we need committed union members to make sure we achieve our goals.

Join your Union NOW!

important part of supporting your mental health and work life balance.

The reunion was well attended, with many of the best transport operators you’ll ever meet, full of reminiscing about what a great company FCL was to work for and how Bill Gibbins was a fantastic owner boss.

There were a few sore heads come Sunday.

It was a great catch up and we look forward to the next one.