07:59 pm, Wednesday 28 July, 2010

fatigue regulations under a proposal from the National Transport Commission (NTC).

The suggestion has received lukewarm response from transport unions.

The Australian Trucking Association’s Jill Lewis drivers could lose their licence if the proposal pushes through.

“They automatically lose their job, they lose their income, they can’t pay their mortgages,” she said.

The Bob Nanva from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union suggested giving employers the power to decide how long staff should work.

“What the draft legislation proposes is to allow rail operators the flexibility to determine their own shift lengths and to determine what they think are reasonable rest breaks that could potentially be done on the basis of what’s cost efficient,” he said.

“When it comes to the safety of the public that’s not acceptable.”

NTC is evaluating state and territory heavy vehicle and rail laws in anticipation of a shake-up in the transportation industry. One change includes the assumption of control by new national regulators in 2013.

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