Reports say transport giant Toll could have a strike on its hands, with Transport Workers Union negotiations going nowhere.

The TWU national negotiating committee has met with Toll several times since April to raise drivers’ concerns over job security under union agreements, wages and superannuation. The TWU now says it endorses filing for a protected action ballot at the Fair Work Commission; a precursor to striking.

The Union is accusing Toll of pursuing the “Qantas strategy”; seeking to create a separate but wholly owned company that is not covered by Union agreements and works at a cheaper rate.  Negotiations have not yielded much; Toll has rejected the TWU's claim for all work performed by fleet operators and outside hire to be paid at site rates. It has also rejected the TWU's claim for enhanced auditing and compliance requirements for fleet operators. The Union fears the company will simply hire outside operators at a lower cost than paying their own.

The Transport Workers Union says it is keen for negotiations to continue, if the protected action ballot is filed all members will be asked to vote on possible industrial actions.