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JIC breaks up

14th May 1983, Page 14
14th May 1983
Page 14
Page 14, 14th May 1983 — JIC breaks up
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

SOUTH WALES employers pulled out of the joint industrial council there last week and were accused by one union official of running away in the face of industrial action.

The Road Haulage Association's area industrial relations committee met on Friday last week, on the eve of the escalation of a programme of one-day strikes in support of the Transport and General Workers Union's claim for a £90 basic rate for top weight drivers in the region.

They have stuck to their 3.52 per cent offer, taking the top rate to £88, and have pulled out of the JIC "basically because of the actions of TGWU officer Geoff Jacob," RHA South Wales assistant manager Peter Webb told CM.

Mr Webb said the committee could not hold itself responsible for incurring members in any greater increases and said it was up to them if they wanted to reach new agreements with their employees.

He said the committee's view was that it had withdrawn from the JIC for all time, but he added an olive branch for the future by saying: "It remains to be seen what happens next year."

Mr Jacob, whose West Wales members were called out on a one-day strike on Monday this week and whose other members were expected to follow similar action in the course of the week, accused the RHA of having "washed their hands and run away."

He described the RHA's action as irresponsible and said the committee was abandoning its members. He said the TGWU was prepared to continue to establish local agreements by pursuing strike action.

Mr Jacob said that 400 TGWU members were on strike on Monday, with pickets posted throughout the region, but Mr Webb claimed only 80 employees at two companies — Mordave Coal Company and Williams Brothers (Crosshands) — were on strike.

He said he knew of no others and had encountered "numerous" South Wales vehicles on the road that day. Mr Jacob claimed that if only 80 men were on strike they were having "very effective" action.

There was a similar gap be tween the two spokesmen's reports of wage agreements reached so far in the area. According to Mr Webb, many companies have reached agreements at the £88 rate, but Mr Jacob said he was unaware of any.

He said he had received details of around 25 agreements at £90 and had been promised another six by post on Monday.

The RHA has given notice of its withdrawal from the JIC to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, and Mr Jacob said the TGWU would be discussing the present problem with Acas officers.

He said the RHA had refused to meet the TGWU last weekend but said he was sure other employers in South Wales are prepared to join in "meaningful negotiations" with the Union.


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