As Group Chief Executive Officer Brett Dale says in From the Desk of the CEO, our ‘priority task has been to provide members with the tools to protect and manage their businesses through the health emergency restrictions and the operational shifts needed to trade.’ And that exactly has been the role of all the corporate office staff, functioning within a COVID-19-safe environment. On a rotational basis some have worked remotely from their homes, whilst others operated from the MTA Queensland corporate office which observed all the necessary health protocols.
COVID-19 exponentially increased the workload of all staff, who seamlessly pivoted to include new duties to provide members with the essential government and assistance measures and industry advices to help them to continue to trade or hibernate their businesses. Each of our service delivery areas worked together to deliver members’ needs.
From working remotely, I’ve come to recognise the necessity of reliable and efficient communications, data and the computer operating systems for networking, accessing and distributing information. The business continuity plan, although prepared for a fully operational economic and business environment in which the Association and members operated, meant we had the structure and systems in place to weather the COVID-19 crisis conditions.
Fortunately, as the MTA Queensland membership is dispersed across the state, we’ve had in place for some time the communications and data systems to connect with members, clients and stakeholders. These included teleconferencing and skype facilities.
Now Zoom, with its video communication capability, has enabled audio conferencing, collaboration, chat and webinars across all devices. It has removed the issue of location to participate in meetings. All of our divisions, utilising Zoom or other conferencing, continue to function.
Remarkably, despite working from home, staff have been versatile, and indeed increasing productivity to accommodate new duties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. For example, monitoring diverse government announcements, formatting and distributing advices to members.
Member Engagement Strategy
A key element of our service to members has been the Member Engagement Strategy. Its total focus has been to contact members in every location either by telephone or email to check on how their business was coping under the duress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it assured continued corporate office support and assistance for the duration of the crisis and beyond. This approach provided the opportunity to ensure members were receiving the COVID-19 daily briefings which detailed the essential information on government and industry support packages and programs, and the weekly industry bulletins.
The direct comments from members to the corporate office has been rewarding and of appreciation for our service. Importantly, insights were given on how members in their individual businesses were coping. I share with members a few of the comments received. One member said that the business ‘reduced the number of hours to be worked for each of the employees, each losing a day per week.’ Another said the decision was made to cease weekend trading; and another would drop trading a day or two a week.
We were heartened by the unsolicited and strong membership support for the COVID-19 daily briefings. One member wrote: ‘in such difficult times we have found the wealth of informative, qualitative, and indeed regular communications that we have received from yourselves to be an absolute treasure trove of useful information. The content we’ve received from the MTAQ far surpasses that of all our other third parties’ suppliers and even government agencies.’
Four webinars, led by our Senior Management team and Workplace Relations staff were held to listen to members’ concerns, answer questions or develop further advice materials. Participating members were reassured all responses to matters raised about their business operations would be derived from the most current information. The webinars were well attended and received and the engagement level by those on the webinars was high.
The single and predominant issue preoccupying members related to workplace relations matters arising from government COVID-19 directives. This is evidenced by the large increase in calls on workplace matters and requests for assistance with the drafting of correspondence and operational guidelines from our workplace relation team. This required research and understanding so that our team could competently advise members. Initially, stand-down provisions were the most complex until these were formally resolved in the provision. Changes were made to some Awards, such as the Clerks Private Sector Award, to allow temporary changes to be made to the workplace due to COVID-19; with significant changes also made to the Fair Work Act.
Advocacy
The Queensland Government held a Zoom Small Business Roundtable to provide the details of government COVID-19 support measures. It was informative, providing understanding of the packages available to business. The State Government’s Business and Industry Support Package was detailed by the Minister for Employment and Small Minister and Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman. The COVID-19 Jobs Support Loan was explained by Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Cameron MacMillan. Of keen interest to some 40 participants, including the MTA Queensland, was the JobKeeper Payment and Boosting Cash Flow for Employers Measure. This was conducted by the Deputy Commissioner for the Australian Taxation Office, Deborah Jenkins.
Pending is the response to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) discussion paper and consultation on Agricultural machinery: aftersales markets. The ACCC extended the due date because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers’ Division considered the paper and provided input.
Takata airbags during COVID-19
The ACCC has reminded that even during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing faulty airbags is a vital and potentially lifesaving task, especially as vehicles may be being used by essential workers and caregivers. Importantly, it is incumbent on people as they start to use their cars again to check if the airbags are safe. ‘Nearly 200,000 vehicles fitted with potentially deadly airbags are still on the roads, and more than 8,000 of these are considered so dangerous they should not be driven at all.’
In addition, a significant number of vehicles fitted with a different type of faulty Takata airbag are yet to be remedied. These vehicles, which are fitted with Takata NADI airbags, are considered so dangerous that manufacturers are offering to buy back the vehicles or to provide a loan vehicle until replacement parts are available. The ACCC advises ‘drivers should check online or with their dealer or manufacturer whether their vehicles are subject to this compulsory recall or the voluntary recall of Takata NADI airbags, and never ignore a notice of recall from your car’s manufacturer’.
Finally
As CEO Brett Dale said in From the Desk of the CEO, our focus now shifts to recovery as members take a safe and steady approach to establishing a functional business that supports clients, the public and the economy. I assure members we will be with them every step along the way, with support and assistance for the recovery and beyond.
Until next month, take special care and stay safe.