@dazzledayz wrote:
@Lyndal - I didn't realise the courier rate was so low; I'd always thought it was $2 per parcel which is still pretty low.
Maybe Fair Work should have a look at this contracting caper in the same light as they looked at other industry underpayments.
If these couriers are required to work almost exclusively for AP at rates like these it is an obviously abusive contractual labour agreement.
On the figures you are quoting these contractors are running at a significant loss which can only result in massive corner cutting, inadequate vehicle maintenance, insurance coverage and the temptation to engage in pillaging.
The more I hear about all this the worse it seems!
The parcel system may be making a profit at the moment but if those pay rates are to be believed it won't stay that way for long.
I have just read this out to two StarTrack contractors and they are still ROFL....they were nearly hysterical when I was reading it.
These rates were negotiated by the Union and are far better than AP was originally offering. They are the same base rates that apply to ALL courier sub contractors althoug many private companies pay more....above award rates are prized obviously.
This is similar to any industry Award Rates....either agree or get out of the industry.
StarTrack contractors are exclusively working for the one company....they are definitely not independent contractors once they sign that contract with StarTrack.
It is not the contractors who are cutting corners....they can't cut corners and still abide by their contracts. Vehicles have to be updated every 5 years no matter what condition they are in and how reliable they are. It is in their own interests to maintain their vehicles properly....if they keep breaking down they will be suspended until they get the vehicle into running order. Worst case scenario they get the sack.
All insurances have to be paid through the company....it they are not paid when due the driver gets no work until paid.
Every 12 months the driver must produce evidence of a current driver's Licence, all applicable courier insurances being up to date even though they are paid through the company, and copies of vehicle registration, green slip and comprehensive insurance.
As for pillaging....not much chance of doing that more than once....all parcels are scanned into the system before the driver leaves the base. The vehicles are randomly inspected by security guards when they leave the base and random vehicles are pulled aside for a full security check involving unloading and checking the scanning. Most drivers get the full check at least once a week.
There is also random drug and alcohol testing....my OH swears he has Random as his middle name as he is usually tested at least once a month.
At night they are inspected as they arrive at the base where they return any undelivered parcels. There is another vehicle check when they leave the base to go home. All these checks can be as invasive as asking the drivers to get out so the guards can inspect under the seats.
Not all courier companies have such strict security although most of the larger ones do.
I have to admit to getting rather hot under the collar when I see some of the courier bashing that goes on here on the boards....it really is not as easy as people think to pilfer from any courier company.
