A "rogue militant element" in the trucking industry has been accused of thuggery by the Australian Livestock Transporters Association, which says a recent fax campaign has threatened drivers with physical harm if they do not support next week's national transport shut down.
The peak body for rural carriers says the fax campaign came from a small group of owner-drivers.
ALTA claims the faxes state that any truck operators operating through the proposed strike period may be at risk of being harmed.
While many in the industry have been proposing to go on strike next week to protest tough new driver fatigue laws and high fuel prices, ALTA and its state associations want nothing to do with this action.
"We as an industry have some tough challenges ahead, but the ALTA is working with its customers in the meat and livestock sector to help work through the new fatigue laws," ALTA executive director Luke Fraser said.
Mr Fraser the threats from a small militant element of the wider industry were "desperate, menacing, vicious and in the end, would be counterproductive".
"We also work with our operators to help them get a better handle on fuel cost management," he said.
"And we continue to work with all Governments to make these new safety reforms practical for mum and dad operators and to bring about safer rural roads and better driver schedules.
"The militants out there are offering no solutions.
"They want to lash out to feel better about life and perhaps that is understandable, but they aren't fussed about who they hurt in the process.
"They seem prepared to damage all rural livelihoods for their own ends - we won't have that."
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