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'Within the letter of the
Page 44
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Iaw' FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT Transporter chief complains about union official CHIEF of a car transporter firm, Mr. Maurice James, has written to the Minister of Labour, Mr. Ray Gunter, accusing Mr. Alan Law, regional commercial trade group secretary of the TGWU in Birmingham, of "being intent on bringing the transport services of the Midlands to a standstill, industry by industry".
Mr. James is chairman and managing director of Maurice James Holdings Ltd., which controls Avon Car Transporters. This company is one of two car delivery firms involved in an unofficial strike earlier this year which made idle 3,000 workers of the Rover company in Solihull.
In his letter, written before the Easter holiday, Mr. James referred to the Scamp report into that dispute as "now history".
"But the present sees Mr. Alan Law still in a position of power where he exercises his disruptive influence.
"There is now to be a National Joint Industrial Council for the car transporting industry, but will this have any affect when union agreements, national discussions, and other democratic means have all failed through the reckless and indifferent attitude of one man?
"We all depend on transport for our livelihood and leisure and for many this Easter will be spoilt by the lack of petrol or the lack of beer. What next?
"Mr. Law would seem to regard the activities of the Ministry with contempt. He is making a fool of the unions, and, under the cover of his position with the TGWU is causing trouble and strikes that rarely are officially recognized.
"It appears that his union superiors cannot control him or remove him from office because of his misplaced popularity with the members, and while his activities remain within the letter of the law, no other action can be taken against him."
Mr. James puts forward away to "control" Mr." Law. He suggests that industry and commerce must stand up against him, and maintain their right to abide by decisions previously agreed between the unions and the management.
"How long then will his members support him if his actions touch the money in their pockets?" he asks, and ends his letter to the Minister by saying that everyone loses by Mr. Law's behaviour.
Mr. Law's only comment was: "I've had no complaints from my members".