The Man's Message
Established 2003 | "Tetritus fortis sine gym"
Friday, May 30, 2025
Crew of the Weeks
This issue's COTW received so much praise it was difficult to fend off. Coming in the form of emails, google reviews and phone calls, customers were simply over the moon with this dream deam.
Some choice comments include:
"Wonderful, efficient and courteous. I will never move with anyone else again."
"Made everything a breeze, thank you very much!"
"Excellent, excellent, excellent! Couldn't have been any nicer!"
Nicely done you two, catch Jack Tandy around the depot to collect your reward.
Flu shot
Ah Choo! The sneezy season is here. If you'd like to avoid spending several days curled up in a ball, dreading the cold sweat that comes with the fever dreams, you can book your flu shot at your local Chemist Warehouse.
Simply provide your receipt to a manager and The Man will reimburse you for the cost of your shot. On a side note, please stay home if you are sick. The workplace is for spreading hopes and dreams, not germs and viruses.
What should I do?
A real life scenario - I clocked on at my start time of 07:32. My first job is due to start at 08:00 but Google Maps™ says I will arrive at the pick up address at 07:48 if I leave now.
Question: When should I leave the depot?
A) Wait it out in the depot for 12 minutes. Not only is that good customer service + it will give me time to finish my bowl of muesli and my piping hot mug of Moccona™
B) Ask the Morning Manager.
C) Right now. I'm getting paid so I should be working.
D) Soon. The customer will be annoyed if I'm too early.
Answer: C) If you're getting paid, you must be working so leave the depot at your start time. If you will be slightly early to the pick up address, great! Call your customer to start early or at least park and set up your truck so that you are ready to start the clock by the booked time.
If you run into unexpected traffic en route, it's a good thing you left with time to spare.
Hello darkness my old friend
Now that winter is setting in, the sun doesn't rise until around 7:30am and it sets just a touch after 5pm which means you could often be working in twilight or full blown darkness.
Wear your Hi-Viz vests (in the white tubs) during these times to stay safe and stay out of harm's way.
Wear your Steel Caps
As anyone who has dropped a concrete table directly onto their unprotected toe can attest, it ain't pretty.
You must wear steel capped safety shoes at all times while working in and around the trucks at MWAV. It's a safety issue and uniform requirement.
The OHS committee has reaffirmed their commitment to making MWAV as safe a workplace as possible.
You must wear your safety shoes on shift. If you refuse to wear appropriate PPE, you are putting your health - and your shift - at risk.
No brake light? No problem!
That sucks but it happens. Good thing you can fix it following this easy "How-To Guide".
How to change a brake light/rear indicator/reversing light bulb
Tools & parts required: Philips screwdriver - You have two in your white tub. Light bulb - Located on the spares shelf in the repair bay or any automotive supply store - Repco, Autobarn, Bursons, etc.
N.B. Ensure you're using the correct bulb. 12v for all Mediums and Large FUSO Canters. 24v for XLs and ISUZUS. Check the info on the old bulb to ensure the correct match.
1. Remove brake light cover by undoing the four screws with the screwdriver. (Pic 1)
2. Remove the dead bulb. Push in and twist. Make sure you're removing the correct bulb. You can use the cover as a guide From the side of the truck to the centre it's: Indicator - Brake light - Reverse
3. Replace the cover ensuring that the rubber seal is in place. (Pic 2)
4. Check the lights.
5. Live your best life.
If you lack confidence, have questions, or muck it up, Richie is only ever a friendly phone call away. This & many more "How-To Guides" are available at wiki.mwav.org
Tommy's Tales
This issue's tale comes from MWAV's most frequent damage culprit, the infamous wall scrape/scratch/ding. Sharp corners and heavy items seem to have a particular fondness to these pesky plaster walls, luckily it's almost always a quick and easy fix.
This one was damaged while shifting a hefty double door fridge, bumping the top corner into the wall. Remember to take it nice and slow on the trolleys when shifting fridges, wrap with blankets if necessary and always have your offsider spot you while wheeling large items around.
An excellent damage report was submitted by the team with heaps of great photos, the customer was then advised to get in tough with the office, textbook stuff. From there it was a simple patch 'n' paint job by resident handyman Tobias "Tiji" Priddle, leaving the customer positively stoked with everyone's efforts.
The Vibe
Things are - as always - broadly positive on the vibe front though some less-than-stellar reviews slightly sour things. Key feedback involved extra cost not being clearly communicated so please remember to always flag any extra time/cost as soon as it becomes apparent.
Suggestion Box
Suggestion: TV on the balcony with a Kayo subscription?
Response: This scribe thinks it's a wonderful idea; especially on Saturdays. The weather is the biggest naysayer of this suggestion as the balcony is open to the elements and tree climbers alike. The TV would have to live inside the lounge... possibly at the expense of the foosball table. As for Kayo's newest owner, Russian-English billionaire - Len Blavatnik, an increase in subscription costs is yet to be ruled out.
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Suggestion: Why can’t we add breakdowns to our pay slips? How are we meant to understand if we’re being paid correctly?
Response: Your payslip already contains a breakdown of the base rate, allowances, and overtime. Is that what you're asking? Your payslip should marry up perfectly with the text messages you receive at the end of each shift throughout the fortnight. Simply add them together and it should be the same number on your payslip. Most importantly: We all want to be paid correctly, so if at any point you are unsure if your payslip is accurate or something doesn't make sense in your payslip, please speak with a manager so they can work through it with you.
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Suggestion: How is that upstairs check your day computer coming along??
Response: Unfortunately, about as well as West Coast's rebuild. It will be implemented but as to when, this scribe can only sincerely apologise as a firm date is currently blowing in the wind. Soon?
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If you would like to submit your own suggestion with complete anonymity, CLICK HERE.
Protest March
Join tens of thousands of people (including Lucy Tsipouras) on the street this Sunday to send a clear message of solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza, until the siege is broken and Palestine is free.