Franchisee operating under unsigned deed after depot rebrand – CCD, union isolation, and ABN mismatch (Newcastle, NSW)
Hi all,
I’m a courier franchisee operating in Newcastle, NSW, and wanted to see if anyone else has faced a similar issue involving deed irregularities, depot rebranding, and potential union avoidance.
Our depot was originally managed by a Regional Franchisor (RF) under a formal deed. That RF was removed, and the depot was rebranded under a new entity with a different ABN.
We were issued a new deed by the replacement operator—but no one at the depot ever signed it. Despite this, we’re being treated as though it’s valid.
The new entity applied its name and ABN retroactively to all previous invoices, including those from years before it even existed.
I became the director in 2023. We’re still trading under the original ABN from the previous RF, but the company claiming authority over us does not have a signed agreement in place.
A commission structure introduced by the original RF remained in place until it was removed without notice or rate increases to compensate.
Deliveries now include unlabelled alcohol boxes ATL, with scanner systems bypassing ID checks and no training given—raising serious liability concerns.
After checking the ABN of the new operator, I found our depot is not listed under their registered business locations. Interestingly, other depots have been rebranded and are listed—Newcastle is not.
I’m a TWU delegate, and our depot is one of only two in the network still aligned with the union. Since the Contract Carriers Determination (CCD) came into effect, there’s been clear rebranding, policy shifts, and what appears to be deliberate union exclusion.
The company now branding our depot shares a registered address with a national logistics firm, pointing to a potential shell structure used to distance the business from deed obligations, CCD coverage, and franchise liability.
I’ve compiled a full evidence pack including invoice records, ABN lookups, deed history, and internal communications. I’m not looking for legal advice, but would appreciate any insight from others who’ve dealt with unsigned deeds, rebranding without authority, or similar union-related restructures.
Thanks.
Hi all,
I’m a courier franchisee operating in Newcastle, NSW, and wanted to see if anyone else has faced a similar issue involving deed irregularities, depot rebranding, and potential union avoidance.
Our depot was originally managed by a Regional Franchisor (RF) under a formal deed. That RF was removed, and the depot was rebranded under a new entity with a different ABN.
We were issued a new deed by the replacement operator—but no one at the depot ever signed it. Despite this, we’re being treated as though it’s valid.
The new entity applied its name and ABN retroactively to all previous invoices, including those from years before it even existed.
I became the director in 2023. We’re still trading under the original ABN from the previous RF, but the company claiming authority over us does not have a signed agreement in place.
A commission structure introduced by the original RF remained in place until it was removed without notice or rate increases to compensate.
Deliveries now include unlabelled alcohol boxes ATL, with scanner systems bypassing ID checks and no training given—raising serious liability concerns.
After checking the ABN of the new operator, I found our depot is not listed under their registered business locations. Interestingly, other depots have been rebranded and are listed—Newcastle is not.
I’m a TWU delegate, and our depot is one of only two in the network still aligned with the union. Since the Contract Carriers Determination (CCD) came into effect, there’s been clear rebranding, policy shifts, and what appears to be deliberate union exclusion.
The company now branding our depot shares a registered address with a national logistics firm, pointing to a potential shell structure used to distance the business from deed obligations, CCD coverage, and franchise liability.
I’ve compiled a full evidence pack including invoice records, ABN lookups, deed history, and internal communications. I’m not looking for legal advice, but would appreciate any insight from others who’ve dealt with unsigned deeds, rebranding without authority, or similar union-related restructures.
Thanks.
