TWU News Summer 2015

MEMBERDEVELOPMENT
United together at Border Express
HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING
Ross Nicholson is new to the TWU – he’s been
a member for only three months but has already
stepped up to be a delegate at Border Express
Wetherill Park!
Border Express Delegate Ross Nicholson hasn’t been part of
a union before but while having a chat with his workmates
and looking around his yard, Ross saw a need and put up his
hand.
“There’s been a change in management, our EBA
negotiations are coming up, and the boys in the yard thought
it’d be a good opportunity for me to have a go,” Ross said.
“Safety has always been a concern for me, our carpark is
pretty atrocious and the yard has been bashed around, so I
thought I could help out to make things a bit better.”
Ross has hit the ground running in his first few months
as a delegate and member by having conversations with his
workmates to sign them up to the union.
“Management’s a bit scared I reckon,” Ross said.
“I have a good relationship already with lots of the guys
here at the yard, I tell them that we need to stick together and
that we can make things better for everyone here. We can
create change and be successful together.”
Safe work and fair pay are the main concerns in the Border
Express yard at the moment. A united team of proactive TWU
members are working towards creating a more transparent
workplace and bringing real change into the yard.
“I’ve been working here for five years and the work has
changed – the workload has increased involving systems and
carton freight – but our pay hasn’t changed,” Ross said.
“
I TELL THEM THAT
WE NEED TO STICK
TOGETHER AND
THAT WE CAN MAKE
THINGS BETTER FOR
EVERYONE HERE. WE
CAN CREATE CHANGE
AND BE SUCCESSFUL
TOGETHER.
New delegate Ross Nicholson
“We’ve had a couple of yard meetings and talks with
management already. We’ve brought up safety issues with
the boss, implemented new procedures regarding compulsory
safety glasses and we’re getting our dodgy carpark fixed up.
“I was initially motivated to join the union and become a
delegate to make the yard a better place for my mates, but I’ve
also noticed other benefits to stepping up.
“It’s been a great opportunity to see the bigger picture and
to challenge myself - our TWU organiser Michael has also
become a mentor of sorts for me.
“I enjoy being able to educate myself more and using it
to help other people. I think it’ll really help my future career
path too.”
If you’d like to get more involved in the union, or if you
have someone you’d like to see featured in the journal,
call your Members’ Service Centre on 1800 729 909.
TWUNSW.ORG.AU
FACEBOOK.COM/TWUNSW
TWUNEWS SUMMER 2015 | 19