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Countdown to WTD launch

27th January 2005
Page 10
Page 10, 27th January 2005 — Countdown to WTD launch
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Nith the Working Time Directive coming into force in less than two months, Guy Sheppard and Jennifer Ball report on some increasingly desperate Atempts to clarify the issues surrounding the new law.

A/etre running out of time VITH THE WORKING Time hrective less than two months way from becoming law, concern ; mounting that the final version ron't be released until after the fficial deadline.

As a result, hauliers could be icing a last-minute dash to make le necessary adjustments to shift atterns and delivery schedules. Ruth Pott, head of employment ffairs for the Road Haulage Assoiation, says: "It is going to be npossible to prepare properly ithout rushing it and employers re rushed off their feet as it is."They [the government] have had three years to fiddle around with it and they still haven't produced the final article."

Underparliamentaryprocedures, the regs must be published at least 40 days before implementation.

But Freight Transport Association policy manager Joan Williams. says because the Directive has been dogged by so many delays before, there are doubts that even this deadline will be met. She says the industry is -taking a leap of faith in the government".

Union leaders say numerous pay negotiations have been put on hold, pending publication of the regulations. Tony Trench, Transport & General Workers Union regional industrial organiser in Scotland, says he understands publication will be delayed until the end of February: "Even to have it a month before implementation would be crazy."