The Man's Message
Established 2003 | "Tetritus fortis sine gym"
Friday, August 22, 2025
Crew of the Weeks
With so many certified-fresh surveys to pick from this fortnight, it was difficult to pick though one crew managed to rise to the top. Maxx Gilbert & Austin Trinh take home COTW with their top-shelf service and moving skillz impressing this customer in particular.
"Maxx and Austin were incredibly efficient. They were extremely professional yet very friendly and accommodating. Nothing was too difficult. They knew exactly what they were doing and just did it. They were careful of all the fragile items, gave excellent advice on anything I was unsure of. It took less time than it should of and cost me less than the quoted price which was great. I would (and will) highly recommend them and Man With A Van as moving specialists to anyone who asks in the future. Thank you for making my move that less stressful by providing such a great team. Appreciate it."
Brilliant work you two, come have a chat with Jack Tandy to collect your well-earned reward.
EBA update
Last Wednesday night, the powerbrokers of the MWAV Management team, TWU, and interested parties reached an agreement in principle to lock in the newest edition of the Enterprise Agreement.
What did they agree to?
- Wage increase of 3.25% or CPI (whichever is higher)
- Back pay to be paid in the first full pay period after the agreement is voted in
- Tenure allowance now accessible for staff with 1000-2000 hours service: 2%. Also, an increase from 6% to 6.5% for staff with +4000 hours service
- Superannuation: Legal minimum accepted
- Family & Domestic Violence Leave: 20 days
- Delegates' rights: 56 hours paid leave for training and delegate duties, and paid time for attending EBA negotiations in EBA years.
- HR & Complaints Process: Internal complaints clause agreed & Independent mediator list to be jointly created and made accessible to all staff, External culture review
What happens now? The parties are busy writing up the first draft of the new look EBA which should be reviewed in a week or so. Once the wording is agreed, the agreement must be voted on by current staff.
Shifters
In case you've been living under a rock for the past 12 weeks, there is a surging force fast emerging in Coburg. Shifters are the freshest instalment striving to reach MWAV's ultimate purpose of pure and total domination of Mens Div-5 basketball.
They all exhibit a team-first approach - every player on the roster is co-captain
Currently sitting in 8th (out of 15), Shifters are officially rolling deep™ having won their last two games. Now they have the ultimate test of taking on ladder leaders, Yabbies at 7pm Wednesday night @ Coburg Basketball Stadium.
Whether it is watching Noah Shute attempt yet another 360º windmill, Monty Walsh slap pretenders outta his house, Pat Foley scrapping on the ground, or Liam "No drive" Stewart staying true to his name only splashing from beyond the arc, there is a wealth of entertainment which has both co-workers and local fans rocking up to support this soon to be powerhouse of the competition.
Praise Liftos™
Poker Night is almost here
Our next Poker Night is on at the Abbotsford depot on this coming Tuesday, 26 August.
$20 cash - winner takes all.
It's not so much about the cards and more about the company. It’s a relaxed way to laugh, share stories, and see sides of your work mates you might not in the truck.
Beers, snacks, and tunes are provided courtesy of The Man. Some friendly competition & plenty of banter can help turn colleagues into life long friends.
>>Click this<< to RSVP
Safety Video Bounty
The Man sincerely thanks Monty Walsh, James Walshe, Gabe Stibio, Kenzie, and Sachin Smith for submitting safety videos within the last fortnight for the consideration of the OHS committee.
WE NEED MORE VIDEOS!
*Landscape orientation only - not portrait*
In case you missed it - The Man is putting the call out to all staff who wish to share their lifting knowledge.
If you come across a scenario which regularly causes damage to furniture and property and or injury to your body, we want to watch a short 10 - 60 second video of your hack. If you're on the job, simply:
1. Log a break (so the customer isn't charged - break will be removed after)
2. Film the scenario (with customer permission but not disrupting the job flow)
3. Send it through (to Tandy's mobile or managers@manwithavan.com.au)
Once the OHS committee has reviewed and ratified its training merit, the payroll master will add $100 to your pay. That's $100 per video! The more videos the better.
Some examples of training content can include but are in no way limited to:
How to spot and parallel park safely - without causing damage with the back of the truck
How to engage the 3 points of contact - for getting in and out of trucks
How to wrap a fridge - then take it up a tight flight of stairs
How to dismantle and reassemble with ease - A guide to gas lift beds
Changed your mind? Get it swapped.
If you’ve been rostered on for a shift you’re no longer available for, you need to find someone to take your shift.
Recent changes to the way shifts are rostered means that if you have asked for a shift and been given that shift, the office has told customers that MWAV has capacity to book their move. If you then decide not to work your shift, MWAV runs the risk of leaving customers high and dry so it is imperative that you either keep your word and work your shift, or find someone else to work it for you.
For more info, have a read of the policy >>here<<.
What's that? Little Timmy has poured diesel in the coolant reservior?
PLEEEEEEAAAASSSSSEEE!
Don’t put diesel in the coolant reservoir... But if you have done, or made any other mistake - it's okay, (sh)it happens - but you have tell someone.
Mistakes like these are much easier to fix the sooner it happens and less “trouble” for everyone in the end.
Cranbourne Update - Medium success!
Growth comes for us all, but more specifically it is coming for Ramen - now.
Due to the popularity of the Cranbourne depot, Ramen is needed to fulfil increased demand in the South East.
This now completes the box set of all three sizes XL, L, and now M trucks available from the Cranbourne depot.
Ramen - named after talented artist and MWAV alum, Eamon "Ramen" Jackson (pictured) - will relocate to its new home on Wednesday.
Abbotsford Update - Sign off on the big screen
Want to see what jobs you may or may not be doing tomorrow? You can now sign off on the big screen upstairs and check which jobs have currently been assigned to your vehicle. While you're there, stick around for a well meaning game of foosball or eat a piece of fruit and chat to a friend on the corner couch. Enjoy the space and ruminate on whether you need to pack your bathers and a towel for tomorrow's possible adventure to Docklands.
Tommy's Tales
Damaged late June, this issue's tale comes from a broken sliding glass panel on an old, "antique" display unit. Not initially keen on our patented half hour discount at the time of damage occurring the customer temporarily taped the panel back together, planning to contact the head office once the dust had settled post-move.
Perhaps overestimating the "antique" status of the unit and the repairs, the customer was a little disappointed to learn of the relatively cheap replacement cost being less than the initially offered half hour discount.
A lesson in not judging appearances, remember to always check with the office first before offering an on-the-spot discount, many smaller, cheaper items can be replaced or repaired for significantly cheaper than a half hour charge.
The Vibe
Some solid numbers this fortnight with barely a negative review in sight. Key feedback mostly centres around damage and less-than-ideal handling of items, remember to take extra care with easily dinged/dented items like whitegoods, use extra blankets if necessary and always have your offsider spotting you when shifting large items on the trolley.
Suggestion Box
Suggestion: "I like the new report hub system."
Response: Not so much of a suggestion as it is a review but the feedback is appreciated all the same. The simpler system of the single hub for all reporting needs seems to be working well so far.
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Would you like to send in an anonymous suggestion to make MWAV a better place to work? Please do so with complete anonymity right here:
tny.mwav.org/report
Gig Guide
Haven't you heard? Men's Div-5 Basketball : Shifters (8) vs Yabbies (1)
7pm Wednesday @ Coburg Basketball Stadium.
Meet the players for autographs & selfies after the game.
Gig Guide
Bughunt
(featuring Henry Osborne & Rob Greenway - from those easy mattress jobs) are releasing their latest EP EXHIBIT A delivering a sermon in anxiety punk, lifting up the rock and looking at whats underneath. Supports from Bitumen, Bad Bangs, and NPCEDE.
8pm Friday, 29 August @ the Tote Band room.
$15 pre sale >>click here<< or 20 bones on the door.