On Caltex, profits and the Fair Work Ombudsman

Julie Quinn, Corporate Affairs, Caltex writes: Re. “Caltex profits soar as company continues to ignore exploited workers” (Monday)

Caltex has consistently said we are committed to stamping out wage underpayment anywhere in our network and that is why our workplace audits are mandatory. 

We have taken the actions we are permitted by the relevant Codes and under our agreements with franchisees. In mid 2016 Caltex established an audit process, an independently run whistle-blower hotline, and an assistance fund for franchisee employees who have been affected by the conduct of certain of our franchisees.  

The Fair Work Ombudsman has an important role to play in ensuring compliance with Australian workplace laws, and has powers to take action where they find non-compliance with those laws. 

Today, the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) issued a report on the 25 Caltex franchise sites it audited around a year ago. Of these, 19 were found to be non-compliant but just 2 are facing further action from the FWO.

These 25 sites that were investigated by the FWO is not a representation of the network of approximately 1900 Caltex owned or affiliated sites across Australia.

Caltex is concerned about the comments made by the FWO, as our view is that the regulator and industry – and others – need to work constructively if we wish to eradicate wage underpayment.  Caltex has a strong record of good engagement with other regulators and believes constructive engagement between industry and our regulators is important.

The Caltex audit program is working and we are committed to continue. Wage underpayment is declining, underpaid workers from exited sites have access to our employee assistance fund and over 875 people have now come to work directly for Caltex.

Since instances of wage underpayment in our franchise network first emerged in 2016, Caltex has been very clear — unlawful behaviour would not be tolerated and we will act decisively to remove the practice from our franchise network.   This work continues.

Since mid 2016 Caltex has put considerable resource and effort into our audit program, to systematically examine our franchise network for mistreatment of vulnerable workers, and to stamp out wage underpayment.

At this stage, since mid 2016, we have audited 292 sites and this will continue for the remainder of our network. The FWO’s investigations are different and cannot be compared with our own audit program which has completed 292 audits of Franchisee operated sites to date – about half the network.

Caltex Employee Assistance Fund has proven to be an efficient and fair system to make a contribution to employees who have been underpaid by employers. Administered by a third party, the Fund will continue to operate in conjunction with the ongoing underpayment audits.  The Fund commenced operation at the end of May 2017.  Currently 163 sites are eligible and the Fund has so far received a total of 269 claims in relation to 84 of those sites. The average employee payment is around $25,800 and as at 23 February 2018 of the 269 claims received 155 are approved and 81 in progress.  Only 21 have been rejected.

On NIMBYism

Peter Burnett writes re: “How the rich weaponised NIMBYism to wage class war“( Monday)

Like the Grattan Institute, Bernard Keane mis-characterises a lot of the resistance to over-development in inner city suburbs. “NIMBYism” is a tired cliché that ignores the reasons for resident action across our cities – above all, anger at the lack of investment in the social, transport and environmental infrastructure that should accompany increased housing density. All tiers of government – federal, state and local – have failed to invest in the public transport, welfare and community services and green open space that must accompany new housing.

Keane’s florid rhetoric of “economic war” and “weaponised NIMBYism” displaces the blame onto local residents rather than the developers who have played a central role in the anarchy that is our so-called “planning” system. As evidence, have a look at VCAT rulings where developers constantly appeal against the affordable housing policies adopted by many municipalities. Where is the support from state government politicians, who rely on developer contributions? Instead of attacking residents, Bernard, how about investigating the campaign finance contributions of the property lobby?