One for Mr. Bevin
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THERE is an old saying, "Do as ye would be done by," that has its merits. "Fair play is a jewel" is another. We recommend both to the Trade Unions Council for consideration and, if approved, for application to the dealings of their constituent bodies with those who are not so well protected against trade aggression as are the trade unions.
There is a case in point in the treatment which collier members of the Miners' Union are meting out to those unhappy road-haulage contractors who have the misfortune to be under contract to carry the coal for those colliers from the pithead to their homes. Following the recent rise in vehicleoperating costs, including additions to wages bills because of the increases in the remuneration of drivers—members of the Transport and General Workers' Union—some of these hauliers have, • with every possible justification, been asking the colliers to pay a little more for the work. They are meeting with stubborn resistance. . In one case in particular, the colliers have given a haulage contractor three months' notice of the termination of his contract, merely because he had the temerity to ask for an increase.
Now, Mr. Bevin. Here are two unions concerned, both members of the T.U.C. The colliers have, in recent weeks, had the benefit of two rises in wages, of 4s. and 2s. 6d. respectively. The drivers of the vehicles, whom the haulier must pay out of his earnings, have benefited considerably in the district concerned as the result of the implementation of the Road Haulage Wages Act. Is this treatment of the haulier fair or reasonable?