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No time for the tacho—Jack Jones
Page 4
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Spy stays out
in the cold A FIERCE attack on the use of tachographs—the spy in the cab—in British vehicles was mounted by Mr Jack Jones, general secretary of the Transport and General Workers Union, this week.
And he made it clear to employers at the Freight Transport Association's annual dinner that TGWU drivers will not work with the instrument at any price.
Mr Jones said that he did not think the degree of opposition to the tacho among the drivers in the road haulage industry was fully understood in Europe. It was certainly not understOod as much as it ought to be by the Government and the business community generally.
"Our men are determined not to accept this instrument, certainly under present conditions," Mr Jones told FTA members.
"Indeed, their view is that there is no justification under any circumstances, because we collectively negotiate the terms and timing of each journey."
The cost of converting UK lorries had been estimated in excess of £200m a year and was unnecessary. Britain was not operating lorries across tight national frontiers and there was no challenge in domestic transport to the road haulage industry on the Continent.
" Within our system of collective bargaining control there really is no case for the tachograph," he commented.
Transport undertakings knew that the imposition of the instrument was unnecessary. The reason for its introduction was to ensure that vehicles from one country did not operate in more favourable conditions than those in another, but this argument could not be applied here.
The TGWU, with the suppcirt of the FTA and the RHA, believed that Britain could not afford so costly an addition to freight transport operation.
Mr Jones also hit out at drivers' hours reductions. 'When we are fighting against inflation the Drivers' Hours Regulations of the EEC must surely be delayed here." The process should be phased in over a considerable period to give Britain the chance to absorb the extra costs. Common Market partners would have to harmonize with the UK on rest periods and total working time.
Mr Jones then turned his attention to the problems of inflation and got a mixed reception from the FTA members. There were cries of derision when, making reference to inflation, the union leader said: "The battle is being won; exports are up considerably, industrial difficulties are less than they have been for years despite the bad press we get. There is a new spirit of confidence abroad and eventually international finance will catch up with that spirit and the E will zoom upwards. Make no mistake about that."
He was, on the other hand, roundly applauded when he said "We will not fail. Let the world know that all of us are determined that this nation will be a strong nation once again."