Wages and truth both casualties in Toll’s drive to clear name

Recent comments by Toll on an industry website would not stand up to independent scrutiny, says the drivers union.

The article, on the website Dieseltalk.co.nz, accuses the union of spreading false allegations about logbook breaches and Toll’s failure to pay industry rates.

“To accuse the union of lying beggars belief,” said Jared Abbott, Transport and Logistics Organiser at FIRST Union.

“Toll General Manager Greg Miller claims that a recent police audit confirms Toll’s compliance with logbook requirements, however this morning police informed us that the matter has yet to be concluded.”

“Further, the assertion that they are in line with industry rates is simply wrong. Their top pay rate still falls short of the lowest rate for the next lowest paying competitor of the four major oil companies in the region. This has been explained in email, at mediation and in bargaining, but they still seem unable to understand. We would challenge them to have these rates independently assessed against their competitors to see how their claims match up.”

“The union stands by all statements that we have made. The best way Toll could resolve this dispute would be to offer a fair wage increase. It’s not too much to ask.”

—