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Dewi Cooke
July 29, 2008
SUPERMARKET chains have altered delivery schedules to buffer the impact of a truck drivers' strike in Queensland.
Both Coles and Woolworths said they had "contingency plans" for the two-week shutdown announced by independent truck drivers.
Coles said it brought forward some weekend deliveries and Woolworths said it had moved some stock to regional distribution centres as a precaution.
The Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association and other groups want an increased base wage, improved safety and removal of the fuel excise.
Peter Schuback, a Hervey Bay-based transport operator, said the strike had the potential to stop food supplies within three days and fuel supplies within four.
The drivers have vowed to prevent distribution of diesel. A spokeswoman for Shell, which has a refinery at Geelong, said the company was monitoring the situation but had not experienced disruption.
Queensland police said a convoy of 43 trucks and 13 cars drove through central Brisbane yesterday. In Western Australia a similar protest drew 50 drivers, who voted to call off the shutdown. In Victoria, about 20 drivers reportedly met in Dandenong and then drove on to Geelong, while 70 drivers met in Adelaide. Six of these drivers have since been sacked, ABC online reported. The drivers' action is not supported by the Transport Workers Union.
Philip Lovell, chief executive of the Victorian Transport Association, representing transport employers, condemned the protest.
"The industry is going through some of the toughest times ever," he said. "The last thing you need to do is not work."
Australian Retailers Association executive director Richard Evans said shops that relied heavily on a quick turnover of stock could be hit hard.
Prices of some goods could also rise, he said. "Any disruption to the supply chain would have an impact upon price and that's to be expected."
July 29, 2008
SUPERMARKET chains have altered delivery schedules to buffer the impact of a truck drivers' strike in Queensland.
Both Coles and Woolworths said they had "contingency plans" for the two-week shutdown announced by independent truck drivers.
Coles said it brought forward some weekend deliveries and Woolworths said it had moved some stock to regional distribution centres as a precaution.
The Long Distance Owners and Drivers Association and other groups want an increased base wage, improved safety and removal of the fuel excise.
Peter Schuback, a Hervey Bay-based transport operator, said the strike had the potential to stop food supplies within three days and fuel supplies within four.
The drivers have vowed to prevent distribution of diesel. A spokeswoman for Shell, which has a refinery at Geelong, said the company was monitoring the situation but had not experienced disruption.
Queensland police said a convoy of 43 trucks and 13 cars drove through central Brisbane yesterday. In Western Australia a similar protest drew 50 drivers, who voted to call off the shutdown. In Victoria, about 20 drivers reportedly met in Dandenong and then drove on to Geelong, while 70 drivers met in Adelaide. Six of these drivers have since been sacked, ABC online reported. The drivers' action is not supported by the Transport Workers Union.
Philip Lovell, chief executive of the Victorian Transport Association, representing transport employers, condemned the protest.
"The industry is going through some of the toughest times ever," he said. "The last thing you need to do is not work."
Australian Retailers Association executive director Richard Evans said shops that relied heavily on a quick turnover of stock could be hit hard.
Prices of some goods could also rise, he said. "Any disruption to the supply chain would have an impact upon price and that's to be expected."
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