Law's £50 target is surprise to FTA
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ALAN LAW, Birmingham district official of the Transport and General Workers' Union, has set a target of £50 as the basic wage for drivers employed by own-account fleets in the West Midlands — a move which has come as a complete surprise to the Freight Transport Association.
And the claim is totally unjustified, according to Martin Richards, FTA regional controller. He told CM on Monday that no new wage demand had been expected for own-account drivers — let alone one for a higher basic 40-hour week than that being paid to haulage company drivers.
Mr Richards said that it was the usual practice in the case of own-account fleet drivers for their wage increments to be negotiated along with those of other company workers at their place of employment.
Mr Law says there are some 7,500 drivers involved in the latest move and that some own-account drivers in the area are at present earning less than £30 a week.
To strengthen his case, Mr Law refers to Alexander Duncan and Co Ltd, which he says has already started to pay the £50 basic.