The global transporter has addressed job security accusations after being listed as a target for industrial action in a proposed nation-wide strike.
FedEx says its cooperative negotiations with the Transport Workers Union (TWU) included securing an agreement for a fair wage and superannuation increase for its employees.
“We are disappointed that the TWU has chosen to take industrial action and is now threatening further industry wide industrial action, despite productive negotiations to date and the impact it will have on customers and the community, especially in these critical times,” FedEx says in a statement.
“FedEx has been in negotiation with the TWU for the past five months. We have tabled an offer which improves current employee entitlements and includes a fair wage and superannuation increase.
“These increases would come on top of the already above market wage rates and superannuation which we pay our employees, which are higher than many of our competitors.”
FedEx says it also addressed the TWU’s primary concern of job security with its most recent negotiations with the union taking place on September 29 this year.
“FedEx has committed to reduce use of outside hire where we are able. However, in the course of doing our business, we do face situations such as annual leave and peak periods where it is necessary to engage outside hire to meet our delivery commitments and provide industry leading service to customers.”
“With Australian businesses already significantly impacted by COVID, TWU’s industrial action is not only disruptive to our business but, more importantly, to our team members, customers and communities,” FedEx says.
FedEx states that it is endeavouring to work closely with customers and keep them informed about any possible service disruptions that may impact them.
The company says it hopes to work together with the TWU to finalise an enterprise agreement that balances the interests of both team members and the company.