AUSTRALIAN TRUCKERS BLOCKADE OIL REFINERIES IN VICTORIA STATE >Date: Sun, 24 Sep 2000 16:06:52 -0400 >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Forward from mart. >Important! >************ >Please, Distribute Widely >Help Build Worldwide Solidarity! >************************************* >-----Original Message----- >From: The Infamous Vinnie Gangbox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: September 24, 2000 12:43 PM >Subject: [ThePortTrucker] Fwd: [gangbox] Fwd: AUSTRALIAN TRUCKERS >BLOCKADE OIL REFINERIES IN VICTORIA STATE > > > > from the FOX AUSTRALIAN NEWS NETWORK > >Fuel refineries blockaded >***************************** > From AAP, 24sep 00 > >4.20pm (AEDT) TENS of Victorian truck owner-drivers >who say high fuel prices are ruining business have >begun a blockade at three petrol refineries. > >In a move inspired by the actions of British drivers >whose recentblockade led to fuel shortages across >the UK the drivers have blocked gateways atthe Shell, >BP-Mobil and Caltex refineries in Spotswood, in >Melbourne's west. > >They are allowing empty tankers in the refinery gates, >but notpermitting full tankers to leave. > >The drivers are aiming to force an increase in the >freight rate and a royal commission into the fuel >industry. > >Their spokesman, Jerry Brown-Sarre, said drivers' >costs were now so high they were actually saving >money by staging the blockade (instead of working). > >They would do so "for as long as it takes", he said. > >Mr Brown-Sarre, an owner-driver from Moama, on the >Victoria-New South Wales border, said: "If we get to >the stage where all the terminals are closed we will let >emergency services' fuel out". > >Mr Brown-Sarre told AAP the owner-drivers expected >their blockade to grow in the next few days. > > They would sleep in their cabs and hoped the public would supply >them with food. > >They wanted the Transport Workers' Union (TWU) to >support them and so far, no fuel tanker driver had objected > to being barred from leaving the refineries, he said. > > TWU spokesman John Allen said the owner-drivers >were "testing the water as to whether they would get >majority support for this protest" and had not yet sought >TWU help. > >Mr Brown-Sarre said: "We want the Australian government >to have a royal commission into the fuel industry. > >"We believe they are exploiting the public and profiteering >out of the price of fuel, especially the users of diesel," he >said. > >The protesters also wanted the industry code of conduct >now beingnegotiated with the federal government to be >made mandatory. > >"We want everybody to be on the same footing so road >safety is not compromised in any way." > > As well, they wanted the government to legislate for a >sustainablefreight rate of $1.47 per kilometre. > >At present, owner-drivers received just $1 per kilometre, >yet paid 50cents to 80 cents a kilometre for diesel. > > The blockade, which began with a noon meeting at a >service station, before moving to the refineries, drew >little initial reaction from the oil companies. > > Mr Brown-Sarre said no company representatives had yet >approached the owner-drivers to clear the gates, but they >expected them to do so and would explain their grievances. > > A Shell spokesman said the company knew of the blockade >but was at present monitoring the situation. > >A Mobil spokesman said it also knew of the blockade >and was trying to get more details. > >We have not yet had a chance to talk to the people who >imposed it about what their issues are. > >"But this is a matter primarily for the government to deal >with and we will obviously co-operate in whatever way we >can with that." > >A spokesman for Federal Transport Minister John Anderson >said thegovernment had already rejected holding an inquiry >into the fuel industry. > > "John (Anderson) has said many times previously that >overwhelmingly the problem with this is the higher crude >price and that is nothing to do with the federal government." > >Late last week, TWU national president Hughie Williams >said truckdrivers around Australia would meet to consider >industrial action to protest against the rising cost of fuel. > > They would discuss proposals to blockade fuel distributors >similar to those in the UK, he said. > >***************************** > GANGBOX: CONSTRUCTION WORKERS NEWS SERVICE >************************************************************************ > GANGBOX homepage: > http://www.GeoCities.com/gangbox/ > comments? email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > "UNION NOW, UNION FOREVER" >**************************************** > > > _______________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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