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Three Fatal Truck Crashes on NSW Roads in Three Days

Transport Workers' Union NSW Secretary Michael Aird has said that three fatal truck crashes on NSW roads over the past three days were a tragic reminder of just how dangerous the road transport industry is and reinforced why we need to lift the pressure on truck drivers.

"In the past three days, three people have trafically lost their lives in truck crashes on NSW roads," Mr Aird said.

"These fatalities are absolutely devastating and our thoughts are first and foremost with the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.

"We are calling on the authorities to conduct a full and thorough investigation of each incident to ensure we find out exactly what happpened. This should also include Workcover NSW because the roads are the truck drivers' workplace."

Mr Aird said that these fatal crashes were a tragic reminder of just how dangerous the road transport industry is, with around 330 Australians hilled in truck crashes every year.

"While we do not yet know what caused these crashes, we have decades of evidence that shows impossible deadlines, dangerously low rates and unrelenting economic pressure on truck drivers creates a cocktail for disaster," Mr Aird said.

"The Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal was established in 2012 after decades campaigning by transport workers, their families and communities to stop the carnage on our roads. It has the power to hold transport clients to account for their pressure on truck drivers and it has published a minimum rate for some owner drivers that is due to come into force on April 4. 

This will set an absolute floor on the minimum rate to do the job safely, hold clients accountable for their role in the transport supply chain and pay drivers for all their time at work.

"But we have big retailers, politicians and lobby groups determined to see the Tribunal swept away so that the big end of town can keep lining their pockets at the expense of safety on our roads. TWU truck drivers will visit Canberra next week to reinforce the message that profits should never be put before Australian lives."

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