Community and global support growing for striking drivers

Community support for the striking Toll/BP drivers is growing, and supporters are keen to see an end to this dispute so the workers can return to the job.

Yesterday around 60 workers and community supporters picketed the Waterview BP station in Auckland, with many drivers choosing to buy their petrol elsewhere.

“The community is really getting in behind these drivers,” said Jared Abbott, Transport and Logistics Organiser at FIRST Union. “We’ve received messages of solidarity from around the country, and supporters have also informed us they are keen to organise pickets in places like Whanganui.”

The drivers have also received support from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents four and half million transport workers worldwide.

“BP needs to show some leadership also and take responsibility for what happens in its supply chain.” said ITF president Paddy Crumlin. “There is no excuse for Toll’s low wage rates, and BP needs to ensure workers delivering petrol to its service stations are paid a decent wage that recognises their skill.”

National Secretary of Australia’s Transport Workers Union (TWU) Tony Sheldon, who represents around 8,500 Toll transport workers, noted Toll Group’s commitment to a ‘One Toll’ agenda, to ensure all Toll workers have the same standards, practices and workplace value.

“It’s disappointing to see Toll NZ turning its back on this commitment and shirking responsibility to provide safe and fair conditions for drivers.”

Demonstrations will continue this Friday in Christchurch at the Edgeware Road BP Connect Station between 11.30am and 1.00pm, and in Wellington at BP’s Head Office on Customhouse Quay at 1:00pm. Another picket will be held this Saturday in Auckland at 10am at the Cavendish Drive BP in Manukau.

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