TWU Victoria-Tasmania Branch secretary Wayne Mader said 287 transport workers died in Australia last year.

Crosses bearing the number 287 were yesterday erected at the pedestrian crossing near the intersection of Tomlins and McCrae streets.

“There is a link between safety and rates of pay,” Mr Mader said.

“If people don’t get paid correctly, they tend to make it up and cut corners.

“They’ll drive further and they’ll drive longer.

“That makes it more dangerous for everyone who uses the road.”

A report by Safe Work Australia issued late last year found road freight industry workers were more than 13 times more likely to be killed at work than the average employee.

Mr Mader said the union was pushing for deaths in the industry to be treated as workplace accidents.

They are currently treated as road fatalities. He said this would give workplace authorities the power to ensure workers were not subjected to unsafe conditions.

TWU Victoria-Tasmania Branch northern organiser Daryl Coghill said there were about 500 transport workers in central Victoria.

Mr Coghill, who has been driving trucks in the region for about 25 years, said many drivers were forced to travel long distances with no time for rest.

He said some drivers were given a 10-hour deadline to travel from Bendigo to Sydney - about 860km.

“One of the most dangerous things we face is the time frames we’re put under from get to A to B.

“Most of the time it’s right on the limit, not allowing for any breakdowns or stops.”