It gives me great pleasure to welcome Shane O'Brien officially as the WA Branch's Assistant Secretary. Shane has already shown a great deal of experience and aptitude in supporting and encouraging our organisers and delegates to be the best they can be.
And its an exciting time to entrust someone of Shane's calibre and background to assist me in running our great Branch.
With the announcement to our members of Shane becoming Assistant Secretary officially it is also an exciting time to talk about how we're in the process of restructing our branch and hiring in new areas to be able to assist our growing membership.
In the coming months there will be more new faces at the TWU WA Branch as we begin talks
Born and raised in Sydney, Shane O’Brien is the son of an electrician and a secretary, growing up with a strong sense of hard work and community. From an early age, he was active in rugby league and surf lifesaving, making his first trip to Perth in 1987 for the Australian Surf Life Saving Titles at Scarborough.
Shane served eight years on Rockdale Council, including three as Mayor, and spent nearly a decade coaching his son’s junior rugby league team to three grand finals.
Shane’s union journey began in the inaugural year of the Organising Works Program, 1994, alongside now ACTU State Secretary Sally McManus and Bill Shortan when he was at the TWU NSW Branch. In 2002, he took up the role of Assistant Secretary of the NSW Public Service Association, winning all three elections he contested.
MESSAGE FROM TWU WA STATE SECRETARY TIM DAWSON
around coordinating a member-services-centre to better service our members and hiring new organisers to build in key areas.
This all aligns with the National 2026 campaign and national strategy of being a relevant and cohesive union that aims to give transport workers a powerful voice, and is relentless in the pursuit of improved living standards for transport workers.
In 2025 we have continued to grow and put our branch and our membership in the best position to launch into 2026, where over 200 agreements will expire, and we have the ability to walk over 60,000 transport workers off the job.
This campaign is about lifting standards. It's about stopping the race to the bottom where clients are tendering up to a standard not down to a price.
Its an exciting time to join, so now is time get on board!
With a hugely ambitious and exciting work program ahead and with a growing membership, we are looking to expand our branch’s team and increase our capacity to fight industry changing campaigns. We are looking for lead-organisers, organisers, campaigners and industrial officers to join our expanding team working out of Kewdale, WA.
The TWU is seeking union staff within the following areas to join the team:
Lead Organiser Organiser/Campaigner/ Educator Industrial Officer Trainee Organiser
ELECTED UNOPPOSED: TWU WA ASSISTANT STATE SECRETARY SHANE O'BRIEN
He returned to the TWU in 2013 as Director of Aviation, later becoming Coordinator of Road Transport in 2018. After several years flying in and out of WA, Shane made the move west permanently in 2023 to take up the role of Lead Organiser, before stepping into his current position as Assistant State Secretary.
Over the years, Shane has led and supported countless industrial actions, most notably the 1996 Coal Owner Driver Strikes in the Hunter Valley, where a week-long shutdown of coal movements resulted in a 14.5% rate increase for owner drivers, one of the most significant wins of its time.
At the WA Branch, Shane takes greatest pride in helping to reverse a decade-long decline in membership, mentoring organisers and refocusing the Branch’s efforts to achieve nearly 10% growth since mid-2022.
“WA is a transport-dependent state,” Shane says. “That means the work we do here has the power to improve the lives of tens of thousands of working people.”
Looking ahead, Shane believes the TWU’s focus must remain on holding clients of transport — supermarkets, mining companies, and major retailers — accountable for the rates they pay to operators.
“Enterprise bargaining doesn’t work in transport when contracts can change overnight,” he explains.
“By forcing clients to pay sustainable rates, we can deliver higher wages, safer workplaces, and safer roads for everyone.”
When it comes to leadership, Shane draws inspiration from former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, admiring his grit, strategy, and ability to lead from the front.
“Waugh never gave an inch to his opponents. He inspired those around him to rise to his level, and that’s what great leadership is all about.”
TRANSPORT REFORM VISITS
Following the 20-year fight to secure the monumental Transport Reform win, Ben, a representative from Senator Glenn Sterles office, has been speaking to transport workers about the importance of this reform and how we can use it to better the transport industry.
Now that Transport Reform is law, we can use this victory to our advantage when national and industry-wide bargaining begins in 2026. Transport Reforms strengthens workers during bargaining by:
Creating a level playing field
Sets industry wide standards
Tackles sham contracting
Holding those at the top of the supply chain accountable
Same Job, Same pay
And so much more
Together we are using this win to build a fairer, safer, and more united transport industry for all.
UNION MEMBERS FIGHT BACK AGAINST RDO ROSTER
In an attempt to cut costs and reduce the number of pro-rata RDO payouts to workers, Toll Coles sought to introduce a mandatory RDO roster.
This change would have forced workers to take RDOs at times chosen by Toll, replacing the current system that allows workers the flexibility to either request RDOs on dates that suit them or bank them to be paid out later at time and a half.
Toll claimed it had the authority to alter workers’ rosters under the RDO roster provisions. The TWU legal team challenged this, and the Fair Work Commission agreed.
PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE CLIENT
SUPAGAS FAILURES LEAVE GAS DELIVERIES STRANDED AND DRIVERS AT RISK
Truck drivers across Western Australia were forced to park up on the side of the road for more than 11 hours last week after gas company Supagas failed to pay registrations on their fleet of trucks and trailers.
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) has been made aware that the entire Supagas fleet, including cylinder trucks, rigids, and utes, became unregistered at the same time, leaving workers unable to legally or safely deliver LPG and gas bottles to homes, hospitals, and businesses.
“This is a catastrophic failure of management,” said TWU WA State Secretary Tim Dawson.
“Drivers have been parked up for nearly half a day because their trucks can’t be legally driven. This affects every part of the state, the North West, South West and Metro areas, and no one knows how far-reaching the supply impact will be.”
Supagas delivers essential gas across WA, but with registrations lapsed, deliveries have ground to a halt. The TWU has been informed that some drivers were unknowingly operating unregistered vehicles, putting their licenses, and livelihoods, at risk.
“This isn’t just an administrative oversight,” Dawson said.
“It’s a safety and compliance issue that could cost drivers their licenses and their jobs. These are workers who take pride in doing their jobs safely, and now they’re paying the price for management’s negligence.”
The TWU is calling on Supagas to immediately rectify the issue, ensure drivers are paid for their downtime, and guarantee that no worker will be disciplined or penalised for company failures.
HOLDING CLIENT'S ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR SUPPLY CHAINS: WHY THE 2026 FIGHT MATTERS
WA Assistant Secretary Shane O’Brien speaks to transport workers about the TWU’s 2026 campaign and how important it is to put clients in the equation when we’re bargaining for the rights of workers.
Clients, like the big supermarkets and mining companies, control what companies pay workers.
So we’re holding them accountable with charters to ensure
“Every vehicle on the road must be safe, registered, and compliant, especially when it’s carrying gas and dangerous goods,”
Mr. Dawson said. “Supagas needs to step up, take responsibility, and make sure this never happens again.”
TWU State Secretary Tim Dawson spoke with ABC radio following the SUPAGAS crisis and why the TWU is holding clients accountable for their roles in the supply chain.
BUS DRIVER CHALLENGES COMPANY ON PAY — AND WINS!
A TWU member working for Pinnacle Travel Group has successfully challenged the company over his pay grade, securing both a wage increase and full backpay.
This driver realised something wasn’t adding up when he found himself not only behind the wheel but also delivering commentary for passengers on recent tours.
His pay didn’t reflect the extra responsibility, so he took action.
He approached the company about the higher duties issue, and they immediately put him on Grade 4.
The wage increase was great and reflected the work he was doing, however, the driver noted that he had been doing this extra work for quite some time, so queried the company about backpay on work he had been doing before his classification was changed.
The company was happy to accommodate for backpay – however they only calculated the shifts the company believed this driver was delivering commentary, not other Grade 4 duties.
This is when the driver approached his TWU organiser Chris Gibbs who was able to confirm that all the driver’s duties fell under a higher classification than what he was being paid for.
The TWU went into bat for the member, and to the company’s credit, they did the right thing — paying out every cent owed and reclassifying the driver as a Grade 4.
Not only did this driver get the recognition and pay he deserved — he set a precedent for others to stand up and do the same.
“I think being a part of the union gave me the confidence to approach management over the issue and approach them again on backpay,” said the driver. “When the issue didn’t resolve the way I wanted it to at the initial inquiries, knowing that the TWU had my back was significant”
“And I can’t thank the TWU enough for all the effort they put in for me!”
If you think you’re not being paid for the work you actually do, don’t stay quiet — talk to your union. The TWU has your back.
KENT REMOVALS WIN!
A 12.75% wage increase and improved redundancy entitlements for employees with 5 or more years’ service.
But the best part? Aligned with our industry fight in 2029 and union rights to build power for a safer and more sustainable industry.
Workers have won:
12.75% wage increase over 4 years
Job security clauses, including:
full utilisation of full-time workers and
a pathway to permanency for casual workers
Union rights, including union delegates clause, delegates' leave and inductions for new starters.
Definition of dispute
The right to appeal
Status Quo
Redundancy - employees with 5 or more years will get an additional 2 weeks of pay on top of redundancy
The heavy lifters of Kent Removals won a great Agreement after their threat against the company of taking protected industrial action paid off.
AVIATION WORKERS FROM PERTH AIRPORT UNITE!
Our airport committee met this month, uniting key delegates from above the wing and below the wing to discuss their workplace and the challenges they face working in the aviation industry.
Jobs in the aviation industry have suffered a loss of conditions since Covid. And our delegates are rising to the challenge of rebuilding the industry to its once former glory.
Together we are building power for reform at airports across Australia.
So that workers have safe jobs, secure jobs and jobs for the future!
SCT REFRIGERATED GRAND OPENING
This month SCT hosted its Grand Opening of their new Refrigeration Facility in Forrestfield.
TWU representatives joined SCT TWU members to be among the first to tour the impressive, state-of-the-art infrastructure, driving the next phase of growth in the transport industry.
The Honourable Rita Saffioti, Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport, attended the opening and spoke about the opportunities this facility will create for growth and innovation across the transport sector.
The Refrigeration facility will include:
5,000 pallet storage capacity
22 high-capacity docks
Direct loading of temperature-controlled containers via SCT's integrated rail linehaul and intermodal network
For the transport industry, SCT’s investment signals growing demand for reliable, temperature-controlled freight solutions and highlights the essential role transport workers play in keeping supply chains moving efficiently and safely.
TWU VETERANS DROP BY FOR A FEED
Thank you to all the TWU Veterans who joined us in the office today for a catch up and great lunch.
It’s great to have a group of long-term TWU members who have served on average between 20 and 50 years in the transport industry visit us at the TWU office often.
It's great to get the Vets together to hear their tall tales and remember the good old days of transport work!
As unionists through and through, they know that staying united will always be the best way forward! United we win!
TWU TGE delegates came together this month for a State Delegates meeting.
The delegates discussed key workplace concerns, industry-wide challenges, and the priorities they want to see addressed at the upcoming National Consultative Committee (NCC) meeting.
These discussions are an important step in ensuring members’ voices are heard at a national level, pushing for fairer conditions, safer workplaces, and stronger job security across the industry.
UNIONSWA MIGRANT WORKERS CENTRE
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.
The TWU was amongst the 20 union officials who joined in-person and online to an info session on migrant related workplace rights and visa protections.
Australia was built by migrants and its important that all workers are supported by a union.
If you need any help speaking to migrants at your site, please reach out
A GROWING UNION
Welcome to all our new members.
Whether you've joined at an induction, because you're new to the workforce, or you've been working in transport all your life,
Bus drivers have been joining their union in droves as they understand the importance of the Road to Respect Campaign, which aims to set sector standards, achieve same job, same pay, have dingnity in retirement and improve conditions.
PRIDEFEST 2025
RSVP TO MARCH WITH THE TWU ON NOVEMBER 29TH
IMPROVING CAREER INFORMATION PROJECTS
EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE SURVEYS
Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is developing tailored career resources for the Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport & Logistics sectors to support workforce attraction, retention, and progression.
This Improving Career Information initiative aims to raise awareness of careers across the transport supply chain by providing clear, accessible information on career pathways, training, skills and knowledge requirements.
In collaboration with Education Services Australia (ESA), we’re gathering insights to ensure these resources reflect real industry needs.
We’re inviting employers and employees to complete short, anonymous surveys to help us understand what career information is most valuable and how it should be delivered.
Your input will directly shape practical, relevant tools that will help grow the workforce across the Transport Supply Chain.
• Employers – Share your insights and encourage your team to participate
• Employees – Tell us what career info would help you most
