The Transport Workers Union has hailed the new workplace agreement struck with United Parcel Service (UPS), saying it will ensure working conditions, standards and pay rates are kept high.

“This new agreement won by TWU members at UPS shows exactly what can be achieved when you have strong union membership in a workplace,” TWU’s National Secretary Tony Sheldon said.

“For a first agreement with a company, this blows the standards out of the water. Not only have members won rates, conditions and standards that equal those in some of our strongest enterprise agreements but, with the development of a new driver incentive plan, many workers will have the chance to exceed current remuneration standards within the industry."

The new TWU/UPS Enterprise Agreement will see the development and implementation of a new classification structure to create a career path for employees and a minimum rate increase for workers of 12% during the life of the agreement