The National Road Freighters Association (NRFA) has launched a Go Fund Me page to help support any drivers who are selected for the new rest area steering committee.
Five slots are available to truckies in the line up that will help decide how $140 million is to be spent on new truckies’ facilities.
The federal government says it will reimburse “reasonable” expenses, such as flights and accommodation, but that doesn’t appear to extend to loss of wages or income.
The NRFA is hoping that the GoFundMe page will help allay those concerns and encourage more truckies to apply before the December 16 deadline.
“We want to see the best people possible on this committee, and hope that knowing wages may be compensated will help some people put their name forward for possible selection,” said the NRFA.
In his latest column for Big Rigs, truckie Mike Williams says he’s “deeply gratified” that the NRFA is making a positive move to fix the problem.
“But to me this shouldn’t be necessary,” said Williams.
As Williams also points out in his latest column, the “suits” who participate will be funded.
“You can also bet they won’t want to do it on weekends. We get screwed over with trip money at work and dodgy little loopholes all the time.
“Any driver that takes the time to participate here will likely actually be sacrificing a week’s pay to participate in person in every sitting.”
To register your interest in a place on the committee, click here.
“Never before have truck drivers been consulted like this, and I am very proud that the Albanese government has delivered on this commitment,” said committee chair Glenn Sterle.
“The work of the committee will be extremely important in making sure that we get the design and location of new rest areas right.