Launched in early September, the United Transport Group (UTG) has hit the ground running, with consultations and discussions due to take place shortly with each and every member.
Created by long-time truckie and compliance expert, Roxanne Mysko, UTG is a lobby group that aims to help give truckies a greater voice by working closely with government organisations to try and minimise the red tape.
Open to all truck drivers, owner operators and fleet owners, UTG has now launched industry specific groups which will each focus on the real issues within their sector.
Representatives from each group will provide the board with accurate industry consultation information.
“UTG members will certainly be given every opportunity to finally have a strong united voice influencing the changes they feel suit how they operate There are so many complexities in the industry and all of these require a united front to lobby to government with real data and knowledge,” says Mysko.
“Our members can now work with the board members, in their industry specific groups, as one model does not fit all sectors – they all have different pressure points for regulations and compliance. We are almost ready to roll up our sleeves for consultations and discussions with every one of our members.”
Mysko expects to see various overarching issues come out of these consultations including those centred around fatigue, routes and the increasing costs of heavy vehicle registrations.
“When the big players in the transport industry get a route approved for higher mass and longer combinations on a road, surely everyone should then be able to have the same bigger combinations operating on these routes, without it costing a fortune. If it’s good enough for one, it should be good enough for all. It’s not a level playing field for all small and medium businesses,” she says.
The lobby group also plans to investigate the number of fines dished out to the industry over the past five years.
“We will be conducting our own Royal Commission with 80 per cent of industry joining us and our members. This research will help to actually understand the real collective costs the industry has paid in fines. This has never happened before nationally. It will serve to back up National Transport Inquiry data to support Senator Glenn Sterle’s massive undertaking,” explains Mysko.
“All of our members will absolutely get the opportunity to contribute to this data and research. It’s time we had a clear understanding of what industry has put up with as a highly regulated sector.
“And it’s time for the facts so we can improve how we attract younger workers into the industry, as many are put off when they hear stories of the sorts of fines truck drivers are receiving.”