TGWU and URTU attempt to settle
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• The leaders of the Transport and General Workers Union and the United Road Transport Union are due to meet within the next few days in another attempt to diffuse their racism row over Ford drivers.
Bill Morris, general secretary of the TGWU, and his opposite number at URTU, David Iligginbottom, agreed before Christmas to attend another meeting to discuss their public fight over URTU's willingness to sign up 300 drivers from Ford's Dagenham plant after the drivers dissolved their TGWU branch.
Speaking after the Trades Union Congress-brokered meeting TGWU national secretary Danny Bryan said: "Bill was happy with the outcome of the discussion and that the problem will be resolved through discussion under the eye of the TUC."
The row blew up when Morris accused URTU on BBC Radio of "compromising with racism" after it had agreed to recruit the 300 drivers. URTU denies the charge, saying it is defamatory.
The role of Ford management and, indirectly, some of the drivers is currently under scrutiny at a case before an industrial tribunal brought by seven black Ford workers. They allege they were kept of out better-paid driving jobs because of racism. The tribunal reconvenes later this month.
U See feature in CM 9-15 January.