9am Saturday the 26th of July 2008.
Federal and State Governments and big business are frantically trying to intimidate truckies into stopping the The National Transport Industry shut which is scheduled to start at midnight tomorrow night.
Mick Pattel:
Private transport Owner operator Mick Pattel the voice of 1,000s of disaffected owner drivers and drivers is currently in Brisbane attending a meeting with a leading Brisbane QC. Mick has had to seek high level legal advise after receiving a number of threats of legal actions by large national transport operators who have stated they intend to sue him personally over any commercial losses they sustain if the shutdown proceeds.
Speaking to Mick yesterday he told me he had received 5 identical letters from major transport operators threatening him. I have not seen copies of the letters but will ‘name & shame’ them once I sight the copies.
One of Mick’s advisers has told me that the meeting today was necessary as it had come to light that the Federal and State governments are considering charging him under tough Federal Terrorism laws if the shutdown goes ahead.
Transport owners and drivers behind the shutdown have proposed to withdraw their services by ‘parking up’ their trucks at homes and their depots to bring pressure on governments to meet their demands.
ALDODA
I spoke with Bunny Brown president of the Australian Long Distance Owners & Drivers Association this morning. He told me that many of their members had already parked their trucks and would be withdrawing their services as of midnight tomorrow night. He said recent media reports of their members blockading highways and taking violent action against any non participating drivers were a media beat up.
He said reported comments by ALDODA media spokesperson Lyn Bennetts advocating violence were a complete media beat up. Bunny went on to say:
“We are not planning road blocks, blockades or any violence against anybody. The shutdown is totally voluntary. It’s up to our member owner and drivers too choose to withdraw their services for two weeks. Our members have been threaten with dismissal and the loss of work contracts by the big freigth companies. We however consider it just bluff. There is not enough drivers out there for these companies to sack 100’s of drivers or hundreds of sub-contractors. It’s just attempted stand over tactics.”
Media
Corporate Owned Mainstream Media
The mainstream media has virtually enforced a complete blackout on the coming shutdown. This is a blight on the Media and Media Standards in Australia.
Despite repeated attempts by owners & drivers to get mainstream media cover on what is potentially the biggest story in Australia they have refused ‘point blank’ to print or publish anything. One has to wonder why? Does it have something to do with the fact that the big companies involved are major corporate advertisers in those publications?
The ABC
Thank god for the ABC. The only exception to this has been the ABC’s 7.30 report that did a segment on the issue last Monday. This segment was really just the Transport Workers Union take on the situation. The union with the possibly that 1,000’s of it’s driver members will participate (independent of the union) in the shutdown has been playing hoky poky with the issue. (one foot in - one foot out).
The Queensland Country Life
Rural Press (the $14billion dollar Fair Fax Media Empire) through the Queensland Country Life ran a front page story “Blockade” Why the transport industry is going on Strike.
Shutdown participants were extremely disappointed. They were at pains during interviews with Melissa Martin to point out that there would be no Blockades and that the action was not a Strike.
Both Mick Pattel and ALDODA have denied any talk of Blockades or strike action as both invoke the possibility of prosecution under tough state and federal Anti-Terrorism and Industrial relations laws. Yet this is what reporter Martin and the QCL editorial staff choose to embolden across the front cover. Mick Pattel was extremely disappointed in the coverage.
Federal Government
The federal transport minister Anthony Albanese in an attempt to head off the shutdown announced late yesterday an inquiry into how truck drivers are paid. The national transport Commission will conduct the investigation but will not make its recommendation until November.
The minister made the announcement at a press conference yesterday and the Ministers media release was published on Agmates last night as a comment by an anonymous party.
The story was on Channel 9’s Night Line last night at midnight with representatives of Coles and Woolworths saying they were paying millions more this year in freight charges. The Night Line report said that these extra payments were made to the big national freight companies who they contracted with. The report said they believed these extra payments were not being passed on from the large national transport operators to their sub-contractors.
Next Update: Mick Pattel will call me with the latest update after his meeting with the QC and the advice he receives.
See more articles on the shutdown by clicking here.
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Have your say! Leave your thoughts or comment!
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- National Transport Shutdown - #5 Full Steam Ahead - Mick Pattel
Tags: ALDODA, Bunny Brown, media, Mick Pattel, Transport
It would seem everything is in the wording - forget shutdowns, blockades and strikes - how about chucking a good old fashion Sickie!!
Last time I checked Stress and Depression were a recognised medical illness’.
GO THE TRUCKIES!!
Mick
As I said in our telephone calls I and My people will back you to the hilt . The threatened action by the government is nothing more that what a dictatorship would do .
We may not always see eye to eye but I will fight for you rights to have freedom of speech . We will all be there to back you .
I support the need for a shutdown as I am tired of being treated as a criminal not just by the authorities’ but by the whole of the community for doing a job that most believe to be the work of the sum of society.
I wont to be able to go to work know that I am not going to be harassed for simply doing an honest days work or wondering if I will loose my livelihood for incorrectly filling in a log book/work diary.
I want is to be treated with courtesy and respect for the job I do as a professional. I don’t want to see anybody put out by a stoppage but it is about time all transport people stood together and are counted for the vital role we play in every bodies lives every single day in this country.
We only run a couple of Fridge B Doubles but can assure you tomorrow night they will be parked up.
Although Mick and Peter may not see eye to eye on every point, they have still done more for this industry in a few weeks than the TWU eg. has done for I think 29 years since we last stood up united, Many Thanks Guys.
I suggest we form some type of owners union or group to take back some of the power the major fleets chains and government have taken away by keeping us divided.
I only found out late by word of mouth I know it is difficult without media support. At the least we need a way to get info out clear and accurate to achieve greater support.
Am pleased the national TWU finally put the truth out Monday night, a long way from the lies being put out by a certain state branch.
Also the way the farmers have supported our cause we should be willing to stand united when they decide to take control of their industry back.
Good Luck guys and keep us informed of anything further we can do to help. I am resigning from the TWU as is at least 20 other mates that run to the same area if they do not stand up next week.
Just one last quick note which verifies the obvious.
Read the comments from Anthony Albanese in the owner driver news. He not only criticizes us for standing up for our rights but praises the job the TWU and ATA is doing.
No surprise there of course. He has managed to introduce a mass of new penalties, regulations and rego increases. Has not had to build and improve adequate rest areas to make it possible for us to meet.
Both organisations he praised have not objected to even one of his new laws and even worse they have approved. He should be donating if not already to the TWU instead of them giving his government $780,000 of members money again.
If they are helping the government who is helping us ????
I have 7 trucks and all of them are going to be parked up.
The TWU & ATA are a joke, they care about the big boys in transport.
28% fuel levy that are charged, how is it we only get 8-13%?
Getting subies to sit and wait to get loaded eg. Fletcher Insulation in Melbourne - 8 hours and company trucks are in & out in 3 hours.
Customers have a lot to answer for as well. Lets go all the way with this and do it right.Will support any action.
After reading the various contributions, I’ve formed the opinion that some Unions (and some agricultural lobby groups) have forgotten their primary task of representing and fighting for their members and become little more than a springboard into parliament.
They pride themselves about how they work with the government to get the best deals. Perhaps the question should be ‘best deals for who?’
Good on the truckies! We’re farmers, but we’re right behind you and hope the government won’t have the power to cower you into not going ahead.
G’day Val & All others on this forum,
Thanks for having your say.
For the latest update #5 on Mick Pattel & the Shutdown click here. Just published an hour ago.
Please forward the latest onto your contacts to keep them up to speed.
Mick,
As in shutdown #5 you have open lines of communication with state gov I am assuming that is qld gov.
Are your/our delegates doing the same in the other states?
After you have all completed your two weeks industrial action, why not continue to operate on a work to rule basis.
You all whinge about log books, being booked for speeding etc, etc, etc, well don’t intentionally break the law.
Your fuel economy will improve through lower average speeds, your tyre wear will increase, through lower average speed, you will feel more refreshed by not driving over your hours, and all those who impose the ridiculous travel times will just have to wait as your working to rule.
Working to rule will highlight the ridiculous conditions you all have to work under. Well to make the point, work to the rules that have been imposed.
If it means the truck parking bays are full the make them fuller. If you cannot pick the freight up due to hours then, pick it up when your ready. If they tell you to be in at a certain time, tell them you will be in when your legal hours, and legal speed limit allows you.
Hey if it works for the Police, Ambo’s, Firebrigade and all other emergency services to work to rule during their industrial actions, then why not follow the actions of government agencies and act like a government agency.
G’day All,
New update - National Transport Shutdown - Update #6
Mick Pattel will be on Sunrise TV to explain why truckies are shutdown - Click Here to see the latest Update.
Also heres a link to a page with all of the Agmates articles on the National Transport shutdown. There are 10 on a page so to see earlier articles click on the Older Entries link at the top or bottom of the page.
Just thought this might help you to send the link to this page to anyone who wants / needs to know more about the truckies shutdown and why its happening.
Keep up the good work mick we are all behind you.
What is Hughie Williams going to do now, get behind the stoppage I suspect.
Go for it Mick, our industry needed your direction in this, lets hope we get enough to follow and get results.
Hi, We are not denying there are issues out there that need to be addressed, however we do not take kindly to being threatened with violence and damage to equipment if we cannot take part fully in the action.
As for the denial of such letters inciting this action we have seen physical copies of this and to claim the media is beating up ALDODA is nonsense.
They have brought this on themselves and the media will report whatever they are fed so if ALDODA want to get their message across they better have the balls to deal with the good and the bad if they are to come out the other side looking like anything other than a two bit vigilante group which is what they seem to be at the moment
We don’t appreciate being bullied buy our supposed support crew……..All they are doing is making truckies turn on truckies, what about the smaller operators who cannot afford to stop or the workers who have to comply with bosses orders and who is going to be paying the bills for those who cannot afford to stop for so long…..
We already are facing desperate times with the cost of doing business surely they are intelligent enough people and can manage to take action in other ways.
The only people who will get hurt ( physically or not ) are the people ALDODA believe they are helping…Stop and think about it a while Work smarter not harder and stop putting truckie against truckie.
Having worked as a truck driver a few years back, I understand the frustration, you work hard to deliver the goods but a lot of people look down on you like your some lower from of life.
I fully support the strike and congratulate all those that participate in the initiative. I take my hat off to the long haul drivers that do an incredible job and their families that support them.
This strike will be a good reality check for the country, it will make people realize just how important the industry is to our daily lives. Everyone needs to stand together on this issue, united as one the industry can make a real difference.
I and thousands of transport operators and owner drivers thank you for your support .
But we all have to support the farmers , Fishermen and small busines people in Australia as they are all part of the back bone of our economy .
Peter Schuback
Mineral and Mine Movers Transport
07 41 24 88 99
jamfig@austarnet.com.au
If we don`t have the support all truck drivers in the long run you may end up losing your job anyway because of high registration going up by half.
Something that all truck business will struggle with, and there will be allot of local operators closing they’re doors for good.
G’day All,
Heres today update on day one of the Transport Shutdown - Click Here
Their are Three major industries in are Australia , Fishing , Farming and Transport .
What we need to do is advise the members of the public of just how much we get for our products or services . The farmers need to have a place where they can post the prices that they get for all of the different types of produce ( FARM GATE PRICE ) .
The egg farmers should post the prices they are paid and the dairy farmers should do the same . Meat producers should also give the live weight price and if they can give a rough break down of what they are paid per type of cut .
If we do this we will be able to show the members of the public just how much you are being paid and how much the resellers are getting from your hard work . It will also show just how much both you and the members of the public are being ripped of for by the major food retailers .
We will also show how much it costs to produce Australian oil and gas and how much it is being sold for .
If you are interested in doing this email me and I will see if I can get a page set up for this to happen . Email jamfig@austarnet.com.au
G’day Peter,
Interesting comment - You and everybody else on this forum might like to see this article just published which will show you just how well Australian Farmers are doing. Click Here.
Interesting Acronym, ALDODA & Al-Qaeda
Sound similar don’t they.
Basically ALDODA have one again show how much support they don’t have. Bunny Brown and his merry bunch of misfits again show that they are full of wind with no action.
So why did the press give them so much airtime. Lyn Bennetts sprouting her anti every one sentiment around the airwaves hoping for some universal damnation of the big business to support their cause.
ALDODA continue to damage any support for main core heavy vehicle drivers. Why are they allowed to continue.
Why not support a industry ban against any member of ALDODA so they will disappear, and the good honest hard working trucky can get on with and it and negotiate a reasonable pay increase. Whilst ever they are around every driver will be tarnished with the ALDODA brush.
G’day Williams,
I don’t know if you have seen it but you will find our latest article - Why Did the Truckies Strike Fail of interest and may answer your questions.
Also have a look at the comments for some interesting developments on Mick Pattel’s organization.
ALDODA and Bunny Brown its actually a bit like the Monty Python Movie, The Life Of Brian.
Remember when Brian asks if he can join the Judian Peoples front.??? It was easy to identify that they all hated the romans. (big corporate). However they had a number of factions who they hated more than the romans.
1. Judian Peoples Front
2. Judian popular peoples front
It goes on and on, they cannot agree to disagree. So life goes on and nothing will change.
.
SPLITTERS………
.
I reckon a bit of 1080 should fix the bunny problem
Comment by Bunny Brown 10-08-2008
Talking about piss and wind where were you when there was a bit of action, when we blocked a few highways and needed support ?
Were you hiding in the womens toilet at a roadhouse, typical of people like you. Its not the right way to go, but can you come up with the right way?
No you can’t but you can rubbish the guts out of the ones who did have a go.
As far as bad publicity I am well aware of what went on with Lynn and the media. They had a field day with her, and most of that was beyond my control and she cannot deny that.
So I suggest you take that up with her not me.
Getting back to as you said the good hard working truckie in the transport industry:
I have been in it for over forty years so I know what hard work and no money is, which I doubt by the sound of your comment, if you know what you are talking about.
I could suggest if you look into it, and went on a few trips with a hard working truckie, if, you listened instead of talking you may learn something.
Your name is familiar and sounds like another Willams that I know who dose nothing for the the industry unless you are a multinational then they tell him what to do and how to do it.
Bunny Brown
The question has to be asked ,
Why did Mick pull out when we were winning?
Thousands of Truckies , Farmers and Fishermen along with members of the public were backing us. We had sent a message to the government and they were starting to feel the impact.
What caused Mick to throw his hands in the air and call it quits?
Was there some pressure put on him from the government or was he promised a crack at a seat in parliament?
He has not said a thing that I know about since backing out . MICK YOU LET DOWN A LOT OF PEOPLE PEOPLE THAT WERE WORkING WITH YOU and supporters . You Owe those people an explanation as to why you quit. You Should come out and tell all of those people why you stopped the action.
Also Mick did you or any of your people go and and register another trading name and call It Australian Long Distance Owners and Drivers Pty Ltd?
If you did you have lost my support and I believe that when the people find out about that you will also lose they’re support . If you have stooped that low and are trying to capitalize on some other groups name you would have to be very desperate .
Peter are you smoking crack?!?!? Seriously Dude get a life!!
Its dicks like you that saw the end of shutdown - advocating violence etc.
Your agenda printing falsities about Mick and NTRF must be questioned - you are a little man with no gumption who thrives on casting doubt on the motives of ppl who have the balls and passion to see changes made.
There is only one ALDODA - don’t you think that is enough??
Thanks Bush Buddah, couldn’t have put it better myself.
Peter Schuback is like any aspiring politician, trying to sling as much mud as he can in the hope of making himself look better.
Hey Bush Buda you are as thick as a brick.
If you had attended meetings with Pattel you would see that he has a major problem. If you don’t agree with him he gets you banned from his meetings .
He belives that he is great and yet there are many people that have been working on getting things for the industry long before he came along . He never even addressed many of the issues . He is out there with his silly little Southern Cross Party trying to get a following .
Me - all I care about is getting the drivers a fair go and a safe place to work in . And I spend my money not some one else’s . So mate get your facts right or are you just one of Pattel’s lackies .
I am embarrassed for you Peter (or should I call you Inspector Gadget) really?….. a tape recording watch?! LMAO!!!!
You are constantly trying to get a rise out of Mick - you keep pick pick picking, nag nag nagging - are you sure you are not a women??? LOL.
Mate if your organisation has done so much - where was your face on TV? or in print (in a stand alone interview??) Stand up and be counted instead of riding on the coat tails of organisation out there giving it a go!!
I have nothing to do with the The Southern Cross Party but by all accounts this was established well before the proposed changes to the Trucking Industry. Your threats are juvenile and are only highlighting the type of person you are.
Mick do you recall that conversation in Townsville where you said you had Keith on the phone.
Well I rang Keith and he had never heard of you. What was that another mistake. Some thing like the comments you made before the Townsville meeting where you said one thousand people were going to attend and you were flat getting 100 or so.
I personally think you don’t handle the truth very well. You Do remember my tape recorder watch don’t you Mick.
As far as any one trying to take over and stuff things up Mick I think you had better look real close to home. We have done more to help the drivers than you ever will and we do it for nothing.
We don’t go around trying to get people to give us money and as far as your mate Budda . He seems to think I am with that other group you know the one with the name very similar to the one that has now been registered as a PTY LTD company.
I wouldn’t think any one that is there to represent the industry would pull a low trick like that . But thats POLITICS (Poly I belive Means MANY , TICKS are blood sucking parasites).
How is you Little Political Party ( Suothern Cross Party is it not).
Have fun Mick and I will keep trying to help the boys out there that keep this country running . And I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR NEXT MEETING.
Bush Buda . What Little fat and round and a brain the size of a pea , Sounds right if you follow pattel
Hello Peter Schuback,
You should take a deep breath and think about how your attacks on me are hurting you. I think you have a lot to offer at some point and you should concentrate on the positives to come out of this shutdown and build from here.
I will continue to do what needs to be done and I will be around in the future so please try to focus on taking the fight up to the Government and maybe we will both achieve something in our own way.
As for you and others trying to tie me to a new political initiative I started over two years ago I think you are struggling to discredit me on some grounds that I don’t understand.
I don’t condemn you or others for your political beliefs or affiliations, you may have noticed that I have never mentioned the name of the new party at any meetings or in any press, or handed out any promotional material of any kind, but I thank you and others for doing it for me.
I do however believe strongly in the new political initiative that I am putting in place and will at some time in the future drive it as a viable alternative to what is on offer at present.
The Transport industry has no friends on either side of politics; the new Liberal National Party in Queensland is also committed to supporting the introduction of the transport reforms, so maybe a new party is our only hope, we as an industry can lobby until the cows come home the present political parties will still treat us as expendable, lobbying is a waste of time action is what is needed.
Fight the good fight Peter, keep God in your heart and you will succeed.
Hi Mick Pattel .
Mick we have been fighting these a holes for over 40 years . We came out in full support of you and asked that we all become one to fight for the truckies and the industry .
You were the one that after we spent a lot of time and money trying to help you that you banned us from your meetings . I supported you and worked to get a result that would be good for the industry .
Like many others we had faith that we could win this one but because YOU kept telling every one in ear shot we were trying to take over that sort of stuffed things .We only want to get the items on the list put to the government fixed . We want to save drivers lives . We want to make our industry sustainable . And we want our people That is all of the people in our industry left alone to do the job that they are good at . Being good truck drivers . The back bone of Australia.
Mick we were winning and we could have achieved what we set out to do if some people had kept their mouths shut and didn’t strut in front of the cameras we would have had a chance . WE WILL WIN BUT WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THE RESULTS WE WANT . NO ONE PERSON CAN ACHIEVE THIS ALONE . AS ONE WORKING GROUP WE ARE THE MOST POWERFUL ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL GROUP IN Australia .
So when you want to give it another go and YOU will work with others . Please let me know .