FOUR PER CENT ON HAULAGE PAY?
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A4 per cent increase in Grade I haulage wages, with differentials maintained for other areas, was recommended by the Road Haulage Wages Council on Monday. At the meeting in London under the chairmanship of Professor D. T. Jack it was agreed to submit proposals for this 4 per cent basic increase on the rate now applicable in Grade I areas, with the retention of current differentials of an additional Ss. for London-area employees and a deduction of 4s. for those in Grade II areas.
The representatives of the transport unions had asked for a "substantial increase ", understood to have amounted in practice to a little over 6 per cent, but after a comparatively short meeting the proposed addition of 4 per cent was aciopted.
As an example of the effect of these proposals, the wage of an adult driver of a vehicle over five tons and up to 10 tons capacity, based in a Grade I area and working a 42-hour week, would be raised from £10 Os. 6d. to £10 8s. 6d.; for a 55-hour week his present wage of £14 6s. 5d. would be increased to £14 17s. 10d. For a 15to 18-tonner driver the Grade I rate for a 55-hour week would be increased from £15 2s. 2d. to £15 14s. 3d.
The Office of the Wages Council will, In due course, issue the Council's proposals as R.H. (77). There is then a prescribed period of 14 days during which objections can be made. Thereafter if the Wages Council think fit they can con firm these proposals and submit them to the Minister of Labour for his approval. If this is given, the recommendations then have statutory force and, in this case, would take the form of Order R.H. (78).
At Monday's meeting there were complaints from the union side about the length of time which elapses between a Council decision and its implementation.
It is understood that the transport unions may lodge a claim for a 40-hour week soon after the present pay decision has been applied.
Rates, Too?
Meanwhile the R.H.A. has announced that its rates committee will meet soon to consider what recommendations to make to members if the proposed 4 per cent wage increase is put into effect, and to examine other changes in costs since the last recommended rates increase of 5 per cent in June last year.