ARC tippermen picket on rates cut by Juliet Parish •
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Sixty owner-drivers are picketing 10 ARC sites in South Wales in protest at rates cuts which will slash their earnings by several thousand pounds this year. The self-employed drivers, 27 of whom are contracted to the aggregates firm full-time, claim that the move will cut their rates by around 10% on journeys over 6.4km (four miles).
The tippermen are the latest operators to have their rates cut by big aggregate suppliers: Tarmac made similar moves last year when it cut owner-drivers' rates by 3% at five concreteblock plants in the South of England in September.
When CM went to press on Tuesday the ARC drivers had been picketing for a week. They do not plan to go back to work until management takes "conciliatory action", says Mick Binns, general secretary of the National Owner Drivers' Association. "There needs to be a serious goodwill gesture in the short term on the part of the company," says Binns. "The drivers want assurance there will be a thorough review of the rate structure and that it will be properly negotiated with them." His 800-member association has been given a boost by the action.
Until the strike only one ARC South Wales owner-driver was a member of NODA — now another 30 have applied to join.
A spokesman for ARC South Wales confirms that rates on longer distances could fall by as much as 14%, bringing pay into line with its competitors. But on trips under 6.4km the rate has increased by up to 3p per tonne, he says.
Last week ARC warned the picketers that they are in breach of their contract. The company says it has not yet given the drivers a deadline to return to work because it wants to resolve the problem amicably.
"We have written to the 27 contract holders, who we have an obligation to, explaining they are in breach of their contract and we hope they will reflect on that," says ARC. "We have no obligation with the outside hauliers." Until the drivers return to work ARC South Wales will use alternative hauliers, including Pontypridd-based Cadwallader Services. Managing director Jeff Cadwallader says he will not be put off by the protesters, who are picketing in shifts to ensure that all the ARC sites are covered during working hours.
"I have no dispute with ARC," says Cadwallader. "I recognise that we are in a recession and I operate my company efficiently so we can survive on the new rates. I will not be intimidated."
The pickets, who have been protesting peacefully, are angered by the fact that other hauliers are helping ARC South Wales to continue operating out of its sand wharfs at Cardiff and Newport and quarries at Penderyn, Vaynor, Machen, Livox, Penhow, Craig-Yr-Hesg, Builth Wells and Lithalun.
"We are digging our heels in and we will stay out as long as it takes to get a rates increase," says one contracted driver. He is restricted from working elsewhere because his truck is in ARC livery.
"I could hardly go and work at Tarmac with an ARC liveried truck," he says.
Ironically, the "thorough review" of new rates which led to the cuts was carried out by ARC in response to operators' demands for an increase.
El The RHA's North-East Tipping Division will meet on 21 January at Scotch Corner Hotel, near Richmond, North Yorks. The agenda will include rates, costs and vehicle weights.