Beane Ike
Page 32
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It is now 6 am and as a "nine till five" managing director, I am sitting in my office almost shedding tears as I read the letter from Mrs M. Parker, and I consider that I would be failing in my duty if I did not make a few corrections and suggestions.
First, your reference to drivers working from 4 am until 7 pm . . . your husband, being a professional, should be well acquainted with the law, ie 11 hours' work in every 24 hours and if there is any infringement a person, or firm, is liable to prosecution. So please do not blame the firm, but blame the drivers concerned.
With reterence to the loss of livelihood, if your husband is not a member of a trades union, I would suggest that he joins, as their objective is to assist their members, and from experience this matter would, I know, be taken care of.
With reference to the meagre subsistence allowance of £5.50, out of which is paid an average of £3 for bed and breakfast and evening meal, what happens to the remainder? If a driver chooses to just drink coffee and eat toast or stale sandwiches, then that is entirely his own fault, as there is adequate provisions made in the expenses and wages paid, to cover this, providing he is employed by a reputable company; if not, my suggestion is — change your employer quickly.
As far as the wrinkled, wizened, heavy-eyed man of 55 is concerned, the only answer to that is get to bed at night and take your proper rest of 11 hours as required by law, such a person would then be fit for a day's work. Give me a man prepared to do this, such a man is not only a credit to himself, but also to the company that he represents. I would suggest, Mrs Parker, that you cease trying to kid people.
As far as vehicles 10 to 15 years of age are concerned, many of these are far superior to some of the vehicles which appear on the market today.
You also mention the loading of vehicles. Some of us recall the days when bricks and tiles were loaded and unloaded by hand, and the days when the shovel was much in use . . in those days such things as forklift trucks and pallets were totally unheard of . . . surely a driver does not expect the fairies to load his vehicle. As for the matter of roping and sheeting a load, this part of a lorry driver's vocation, and, as such, he is responsible for ensuring that his load is secure, that is part of the professional status.
One final word . . . after being in the transport industry for 45 years, as a driver and an executive, I am convinced that the driver is better off now than ever before, and not a few of us are determined that this shall continue.
The transport industry is one of which we can be justly proud and, with good management and good drivers, we can still go places, REG COOPER, Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Coopers Road Services (1972) .Ltd.