Opinions and Queries
Page 56
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Sauce for the Goose Only
'J THE 15 per cent. increase in basic pay for the usage of HE higher speed limit has no doubt been arrived at by British Road Services in the light of the bulk of their own operations. Whilst a similar concession might be suitable for a very few private hauliers, there are many varied types of long-distance work where the saving would be more illusory than real.
Generally, the main savings in operational times will accrue to the " trunkers but not the "tramps." The latter word is not used in any derogatory manner, but to classify operators who run' long distance, but not on any given route. It should be recalled that the Transport Act, 1947, defined long distance as "the carriage of goods for a distance of 40 miles or upwards."
Some furniture removers come into the category of spasmodic long-distance operators, although such journeys in a year may total a very small percentage of their turnover. The following is a specimen of a 1,500-cu.-ft. removal from, say, Glasgow to London with a return load of new furniture and 20 deliveries as follows: Carlisle 3, Dumfries 1, Glasgow 10, Falkirk 1, Stirling 2 and Dundee 3.
It is assumed that no snags arise in the return-load deliveries and that each takes approximately 1 hr.
Old speed limit (20-tn.p.h.).—Fri., load removal, inc. travelling time, 9 hrs.; Sat., Glasgow to Wetherby, 11; Sun., Wetherby to London, 11; Mon., unload removal, inc. travelling time, 9; Tues., load new furniture, 9; Wed., Glasgow to Wetherby, 11; Thurs., Wetherby to Carlisle 3, Dumfries 1 (start 6 a.m. to catch shops), 11; Fri., Dumfries to Glasgow, 5 deliveries, 8; Sat.. complete 5 deliveries in Glasgow, 4; Sun., rest day at home base, --; Mon., Glasgow to Falkirk 1, Stirling 2, Dundee 3. 91; Tues., Dundee to Glasgow, 4f. Total, 961.
As no average speed has been agreed for the higher limit the following specimen times are .taken at an average of 22 m.p.h. for a similar journey and with the same loads. •
New speed limit (30 m.p.h.).—Fri., load removal, inc. travel time, 9 hrs.; Sat., Glasgow to Wetherby, 9; Sun., Wetherby to London, 9; Mon., unload removal, inc. travel time, 9; Tues., load new furniture, 9; Wed., London to Catterick, 11; Thurs., Catterick to Carlisle 3, Dumfries 1, thence _ to Glasgow, 11; Fri., Glasgow deliveries 10, 8; Sat., vehicle in garage (no work possible), 4; Sun., rest day at home base, —; Mon., Glasgow to Falkirk I, Stirling 2, Dundee 3, 9; Tues., Dundee to Glasgow, 31. Total, 911.
It may be remarked that the straight journey-at° London could be compressed into a little over 11 days and unloading completed on the second day. Most customers object to a removal which is not finished until 9 or 10 p.m. and, in any case, that hour carries the driver beyond legal requirements.
The most forcible item arising from these figures is vehicle availability; in this case a saving of 1 hr. It makes balderdash of the statements that availability will automatically be increased up to one-third. Before any concrete conclusions can be arrived at, a lot of data will require to be gathered covering a variety of types of operation.
It will be noted that the starting day of the journey is given as a Saturday. This, of course, could be any day of the week. But commencing on most of the other days of the week would throw the driver into an idle week-end away from his home base, where no productive work, such as driving or delivery, can be done. For this he is paid 5 hrs. for the Saturday afternoon and 9 hrs. for Sunday, at the appropriate overtime rates. If increased wages are given (in whatever form) for a greater work content it should not apply to the rates for the idle week-end, when no work is being done. Again, it may be remarked "cut out the idle week-end," Much as the " tramps " would like to, this cannot always be done, due to the necessary mode of operation which provides service to industry and individuals.
The hypothetical saving in hours over the journey is 5 hrs. spread over 10 full working days—a saving of I hr.
per 8-hr. day, or 61 per cent. On the basis of the complete working week the saving is 2 hrs. spread over 7 days, an improvement of 17 min per day, or 31 per cent. Using the B.R.S. yardstick, any percentage increase should not exceed 10 per cent. That is the hypothetical saving; in practice it can disappear in quite legitimate manner through unavoidable delays outside the control of driver and operator.
It is probable that an average of 24 m.p.h. would show an hour's economy which could not so easily be wafted into thin air. It is passing strange that under the old regime the average speed of 16-17 m.p.h., whilst accepted in practice, never existed on paper; in fact, there Was no such thing.
Surely the farce of no average speed will no longer be perpetuated and that the agreed figure will be written in bold lettering for all to understand. If unions and employers cannot agree on this point, then let us have an independent assessment.
It should be remembered that in the quoted examples the total number of such journeys may not be more than 12 a year, and in some cases even fewer, and the opportunity of economy decreases as the mileage lead lessens.
Carlisle. BRIAREUS.
Chromium Stainless Steels Available
\TOUR comment on the use of stainless steel for I vehicle trim, in your issue of June 14, could be a little misleading and it may help your readers if the position is clarified.
Supplies of stainless steel in the form of sheet and strip for all types of vehicle trim are obtainable now and this company is receiving orders from many quarters and offering prompt delivery.
In no case has the supply of chromium restricted the supply of stainless steels and there has been no lowering of the percentage of chromium in the analysis. There has, however, been difficulty in obtaining adequate supplies of nickel to produce the austenitic stainless steels. This.has in no way affected the production of the 17 per cent. chromium type of stainless steel, which is now, finding increasing use and application in the British motor industry as a whole, a fact that we are glad to see you support.
Sheffield, 9. W. H. WENTWORTH PING,
Sales Development Manager, Firth-Vickers Stainless Steels, Ltd.