ATA ELECTIONS.

2009 Owner Driver & Small Fleets Election

Latest news

Voter registration and nominations open on Monday, 12 January 2009.

To stay up to date with the latest news about the election, subscribe to the ATA’s weekly newsletter, the Friday Facts. You can subscribe by sending an email to mckinleyb@atatruck.net.au

What is the election about?

The ATA’s policy direction is set by our General Council, which includes two representatives elected by owner-drivers and small fleet operators. These members hold office for two years; an election is now required.

What do the positions involve?

The owner-driver and small fleet members are entitled to attend and vote at ATA Council meetings, which are held about four times a year, generally in Canberra. Each meeting lasts a full day. The ATA meets their agreed accommodation and travel expenses for Council business.

The members can also join in the work of the ATA’s policy committees. These committees meet regularly by teleconference to discuss policy issues in detail.

How can I register to vote?

To register to vote for one or both representatives, you must be:

- a person (including directors and/or shareholders of a company and trustees and beneficiaries of a trust) who owns, is purchasing or leasing 1-5 trucks over 4.5 tonnes and spends time driving; and
- on the Commonwealth Electoral Roll.

You do not have to be a member of an ATA member organisation. Registering to vote is free.

Voter registration will open on 12 January 2009 and will close on 9 February 2009.

You will be able to download the voter registration form from this page on 12 January 2009. You will be able to get a copy in the mail by contacting the ATA secretariat on 02 6253 6900
How can I nominate for one of the positions?

To nominate for the category one (owner driver) position, you must be:

- a person (including directors and/or shareholders of a company and trustees and beneficiaries of a trust) who owns, is purchasing or leasing one truck over 4.5 tonnes and drives it;
- registered as a voter for the election; and
- a member of an ATA member organisation. Click this link for the full list of ATA member organisations.

To nominate for the category two (small fleet) position, you must be

- a person (including directors and/or shareholders of a company and trustees and beneficiaries of a trust) who owns, is purchasing or leasing 2-5 trucks over 4.5 tonnes;
- registered as a voter for the election; and
- a member of an ATA member organisation.

The nomination fee for both positions is $60. Candidates can, if they wish, submit a statement of up to 500 words that will be circulated to voters with the ballot papers. Candidate statements should promote the policies of the candidate concerned and must not comment on other candidates or organisations or be defamatory.

Nominations will open on 12 January 2009 and will close on 9 February 2009.

You will be able to download the nomination form from this page on 12 January 2009. You will be able to get a copy in the mail by contacting the ATA secretariat on 02 6253 6900.

How will the election be conducted?

If there are more candidates than vacancies, the ACT Electoral Commission will conduct an election by postal ballot.

What is the election timetable?

What are the detailed rules for the election?

The detailed rules for the election are set out in the Election of Owner Driver ATA Council Members Regulations, which were agreed by the ATA Council in 2007. Click here to download a copy of the regulations.

The ATA has commissioned the ACT Electoral Commission to carry out the election. Click here to download the agreement between the ATA and the commission.

Article from: AAP

ANOTHER 35 Kenworth Trucks workers have been sacked from the company’s Melbourne plant.

The workers at the Bayswater truck building plant were informed yesterday of the decision, a spokesman for the company has said.

In August, the company announced 80 job cuts.

A company statement said the latest redundancies were due to a drop in orders for heavy duty trucks.

The company is to reduce its truck output from January 7 and shut down on seven weekend days over January and February.

The plant will also close over the Christmas holiday period.

“Employees will be able to use their accrued paid leave entitlements such as annual and long service leave and rostered days off to cover these additional shutdown days,” the statement said.

Employees endorsed the shutdowns at a union meeting held on Monday, the company said.

Kenworth Trucks said it would pay employees all their entitlements and provide support through counselling and employment services.

IS THIS A TASTY FRUIT SALAD?

It can happen to anyone…..anytime. Unhooked…. just down from the Rocklea fruit/veg. market Brisbane.

Send us a pic of your rig or other rigs on the road if you see anything of interest on your travels. Become a HIGHWAY PERSONALITY. How about a pic of your rig and a short story so we can publish it in good taste