Truck drivers have taken to the streets across the country to call on the federal parliament to urgently pass laws that deliver better standards for transport workers.
The Transport Workers Union is leading a series of convoys in major cities calling for stronger protections against cutthroat industry demands and the erosion of standards for gig workers.
More than 600 transport drivers turned up outside federal parliament to demand action, two years after a Senate committee report on the industry was handed down.
The union says inaction on the report's recommendations has led to the deaths of 100 workers.
The federal government is set to introduce laws to empower the Fair Work Commission to set appropriate industry standards as promised at its jobs and skills summit in September last year.
Union boss Michael Kaine wants the laws to rein in the commercial power of major retailers to force workers to undertake unreasonable workloads and to introduce standards for gig workers.
Truck drivers report being pressured by major retailers to sign cutthroat contracts that result in shoestring budgets, maintenance being cut and workers pushed to their limits, he said.
Gig workers have no access to minimum wage, sick leave or workers' compensation.
"We're here as industry associations, as employers, as employer associations as unions, as politicians who are all committed to saying we are not going to take another two years and another 100 deaths," he said.
Former Scotts truck driver and TWU delegate John Waltis recounted how one driver in his former company was pressured into taking a job or the company would lose the contract.
"He was asleep at the wheel when he hit a tree and the trailer came up, squashed the truck and it caught fire and he burnt to death," Mr Waltis said.
"We don't only need protection for us. We need to protect everybody that's in the industry."
The union also highlighted the death of Akshay Doultani who was killed while working for a food delivery service two weeks ago.
"(There are) incredible pressures on these workers forcing them to work and take jobs," Mr Kaine said.
"It's time for change. It's time to avenge the deaths of our colleagues."
