TWU: 'One Toll' must be more than words

Management at the Toll Group have the opportunity to show that their ‘One Toll’ policy for a productive, efficient and safer workplace for all Toll workers is more than a public relations exercise by implementing this at all Toll sites across the globe.

That’s according to Michael Aird, Senior Official of the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU).

Mr Aird was speaking outside the Toll Group annual general meeting (AGM) in Melbourne today (26.10.12) where he joined Australian and American Toll workers and representatives from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters) to call on Toll management to sign a commitment to the ‘One Toll’ policy at this year’s AGM: “Management at Toll have put forward a ‘One Toll’ agenda to ensure that all Toll workers across the world experience the same standards, practices and workplace values – but have yet to implement it across their international workforce.”

The TWU and Teamsters conducted a recent survey of Toll workers across worksites in Australia and the United States to review Toll workers’ views on the ‘One Toll’ vision. The results of the survey show that not providing workers with a voice can have serious consequences. The survey showed:

• 67% of United States drivers are concerned about even reporting safety concerns.
• 55% of workers across Australia and the United States believe Toll management put profits AHEAD of safety.

Mr Aird stated:

“The survey results show that Toll management aren’t listening. For ‘One Toll’ to be more than just rhetoric, Toll workers need to have a voice on safe and efficient workplace conditions. Toll workers here and in the United States know that better consultation and respect from management not only improves safety standards but it also benefits the company and ultimately shareholders with more productive, efficient and safe workplaces.”

Toll Driver and Teamster member Karael Vallecillo, travelled all the way from Los Angeles to speak to management and address the AGM;

“One Toll is about every Toll worker having their voice heard. Me and my work mates in America want management to commit to the ‘One Toll’ policy so we can improve safety for ourselves, our customers and our community.”

Australian Toll driver, Mark Trevillian commented;

“All Toll workers, no matter where they are in the world or what their accent is, should have the same workplace standards and conditions. I’ve seen first hand the conditions that workers at US Toll work in. It’s not right that an Australian company, which I am proud to work for, should treat workers like this. Toll management need to make good on their word and actually commit to the ‘One Toll’ policy they created.”

Mr Aird concluded:

“We’ve seen here in Australia that by creating better standards and conditions in the workplace, Toll can achieve better results. It’s time Toll management make their commitment to the ‘One Toll’ policy more than just words.”