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— 'Full-time officers are

29th June 1995, Page 45
29th June 1995
Page 45
Page 45, 29th June 1995 — — 'Full-time officers are
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

available to members round the clock'

4 T

he recent article about Drivers' Action Movement (CM 1-7 June) seemed to imply that DAM was the only organisation for professional drivers at Truckfest which was "determined not to remain a sideshow".

One DAM member said trade unions are "t ..able to address themselves to drivers' issues". This was followed by a reference to URTU. I am worried that many readers will believe the criticism is justifiably levelled at URTU.

Nothing could be further from the truth or more unfair. Indeed, I believe we are the only union to have offered any form of help to DAM or any form of support for their aspirations. I also feel that the criticism of trade unions by DAM members is directed more at the TGWU, to which its founders belong, and which was not mentioned in the article.

There was no mention of our support for DAM, although we have attended all their public meetings and reported their activities in our own magazine, Wheels. We even delivered DAM's display material to Peterborough. Is this a case of someone biting the hand that feeds them? But what of the substance of the complaint by Bob Charley of DAM that trade unions "do not seem able to address themselves to drivers' issues", and is it true of all trade unions? I can say with certainty that it is not true of URTU.

Since I became general secretary just over three years ago we have invested more money and effort into fighting for drivers' rights than any other organisation, union or non-union, in Europe. Wheels prints 40,000 copies an issue: half are posted to our members, the other 20,000 are distributed free at truckstops and trucking events. It campaigns for drivers' rights, based on what drivers tell us they want. Our mobile office visits truckstops most days of the year, giving drivers information and assistance. It attends every major truck event of the season.

Our network of full-time officers are available to members round the clock, 365 days a year, and all their home numbers are printed in Wheels. They represent drivers at wage negotiations, disciplinary hearings and industrial tribunals and their record of success is available for everyone to see.

We have qualified legal experts working for our members and a Tree 24-hour legal telephone helpline, for members and their families, introduced before any other union in Europe. We review transport and employment law with a critical eye and keep the interests of drivers uppermost in our minds and we play a significant role in the framing of developments, particularly in Europe. Of course, winning better pay and conditions for drivers is an uphill struggle and we welcome and support anyone who wants to join us in the fight. We supported the launch of Fair Trials Abroad which campaigns on behalf of British drivers in foreign jails; we've supported Mary Williams' BRAKE campaign and have offered support and practical assistance to DAM itself.

URTU has demonstrated it is ready to make that long-term commitment—after all, we've been around for 105 years and our capacity for persistence and survival can hardly be in doubt. We have shown on numerous occasions that we are ready to stand and be counted in defence of workers' rights, even those from other industries. But I believe that we can also be proud of our records in recent years. We are happy to be judged on it, provided it is fully, fairly and accurately presented.,

• If you want to sound off about a road transport issue write to features editor Patric Cunnane.


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