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Union blackmail threats are groundless
Page 31
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• "Do not allow yourselves to be blackmailed by these or any other threats"—that is the message Mr. Noel Wynn, RHA chairman, passes on to hauliers who may be alarmed at reports that trade unions will have the right to object to applications for operators' licences when the new scheme becomes effective next year.
Addressing members of the Association's Potteries sub-area at Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday, Mr Wynn (Robert Wynn and Sons Ltd., Newport, Mon), said: "Certain union officials—and let it be said they are very few—have uttered dire threats as to what they are going to do to hauliers in this connection. Unfortunately, these threats have received quite undue coverage in certain organs of the Press.
"I think it is high time that the record should be set right so that the fears which have been aroused can be allayed.
"First, there is no right of objection by the trade unions or any other body to the initial application for an operator's licence by existing holders of A, B or C licences. Secondly, when the right to object does arise, the grounds for objection are strictly limited and are as laid down in Section 63(4) of the Transport Act 1968, sub: section (5) of which makes it abundantly clear that the onus of proof of the existence of the ground for objection is on the objector.
"I have read of threats that if hauliers do not pay wages which the trade union official concerned thinks proper, objection to the grant of an operator's licence will be made. This is not one of the grounds for objection and I feel that we can safely leave the matter to the good sense of' our Licensing Authorities to give short shrift to anyone who tries to raise objection on this, or indeed any, ground which is frivolous and vexatious.
"In saying this I must make it clear that the vast majority of trade union officials and, indeed, their members, are responsible individuals who conduct their affairs perfectly properly and have good relationships with employers. Unfortunately, it is the few who adopt questionable means to achieve their ends who receive the publicity and cause unnecessary alarm."