Probationary Drivers' Wages Scottish Action
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I N a leading article in our issue dated December 6 we commented upon a suggestion by Mr. Hamish MacDougall, secretary of the Scottish Carriers and Haulage Contractors Association, that provision be made in the wages scales, under the Road Haulage Wages Act, for probationary drivers. Action has now been taken by that Association and resolutions have been forwarded to the secretary of the Scottish Area Wages Board.
Attention is drawn to the present serious shortage, of road-transport drivers and to the fact that there is no scheme for training new men. The Board is asked to give consideration to a scheme whereby men over military age could be trained as drivers. The wages of such unskilled men, during the period of training, should be lower than the standard.
It is suggested that the scheme should be operated under the guidance of the Ministry of Labour. It is further suggested that employers in the roadtransport industry, who are holders of A and B licences, should be permitted to employ inexperienced drivers at rates of wages less than standard and that a " probation " period be fixed, at the end of which the employee will be entitled to standard rates of pay, the probationary period and the rates of pay to be agreed by the Area Wages Board.