Hauliers united
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THE introduction of a new code o practice by the tipping functional group of the Road Haulage Association is a timely reminder that there is more than one way of improving standards and driving out the rogues and rate-cutters in the haulage world. Fear of the fair trading legislation may have deflected the Association from establishing a national twotier membership structure based on standards, but the functional groups offer the chance to achieve the next best thing. Indeed, if the groups codes can be shown to have teeth, there is a lot to be said for approaching this whole question from a functional rather than an industry-wide basis; each sector of the industry has its own operating characteristics, and the codes of practice can be made to fit these individually.
Most of the functional groups now have codes of practice, and at least some of them operate a probationary period for new members and are prepared to expel those who don't conform. For the payment of a small fee to meet expenses the groups offer facilities and services which the general membership doesn't get. The more exclusive they become, and the more valuable their functional services, the stronger will be their influence in setting operating standards—and thus helping to stabilise the industry and improve its status. Like so many other similar issues, success lies entirely in the hands of the members.