New Association for Goods Transport Operaiing Managers
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DURING these days the activities of many of the, '–'sections of the road-transport industry are actively catered for by excellent associations. Operators obtain help through membership witit the Commercial Motor Users Association, Associated Road Operators, National Conference of Express Carriers, etc., and drivers through their trade unions, but that hard-working individual—or the " buffer " between operator and driver and owner and customer—the operating manager, is, like the captain of a warship, aloof and alone.
For some time the managers of many of the express goods transport concerns in Leicester have realized that, as isolated units, they are at the beck and call of all, yet the friends of none. They have also realized that the difficulties of the present day are almost insurmountable when tackled alone and unaided, labour troubles, pilfering and a host of problems confront them, and nowhere can any satisfactory answer or solution be found. Ihe time for action had come.
A meeting of the goods-transport managers was called, and, from the tone of the discussion, it was clear that everyone was faced with the same difficulties. Before the meeting ended, an association, properly constituted and called the Road Transport (Goods) Managers Association, came into being, under the chairmanship of Mr. L. S. Houlding (Blends, Ltd.), and with Mr. G. H. Engles (P.X., Ltd.) as secretary.
The objects of this Association are:—
(1) To further the interests of members by mutual co-operation on matters arising out of their occupation.
(2) To promote good will and fellowship.
(3) To foster matters of education.
(4) To exchange close views on all matters appertaining to road transport.
(5) To further the welfare of the profession. Those eligible for membership are:— (.1) Operating managers (or those holding similar positions), (a) having at least three years' practical
experience in road transport; (b) being employed solely by road-transport concerns. The full consent of employers must be obtained before applications for membership will be considered.
Meetings are being held regularly, a business meeting every first Monday in the month, and a special social evening, when problems and ideas are discussed in. a friendly atmosphere (aided by a drink and a plate of sandwiches), is held each alternate Monday. That these meetings are successful can be judged by the enthusiasm of the members, who are willing to give up part of their very meagre spare time, and whose pooling of ideas and information as to actual working conditions has eased the lot of every member ia one way or another.
That the members regard their Association as being worth while is shown in an important step they have recently taken. Road transport, pilfering and the black market are very closely connected, and whilst members are making very strenuous efforts to locate in their own concerns any practice which may tend to assist racketeers, they realize that their vision is confined to a small radius. Feeling that some wider scope should lie given to this serious problem, they approached the chief constable of Leicester with a suggestion that a liaison officer might be appointed, who could receive from the members information that could be passed to responsible police quarters.
This suggestion has been received with acclamation, and Mr. W. Gray, of Pickfords, Ltd., 13elgrave Gate, Leicester, has lieen appointed to act in this important Capacity. The road-transport industry in the Leicester area is very anxious to assist the police authorities in every way Within its power, and it is felt that the important step that has been taken will be of benefit both to the Vice and the industry.
G. H. INotEs, Secretary, .
:The Road Transport (Goods)
Managers Association: 72, Sandringham Avenue,
Leicester.