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Yorkshire Federation Will Not Sign a Blank Cheque

6th October 1944, Page 34
6th October 1944
Page 34
Page 34, 6th October 1944 — Yorkshire Federation Will Not Sign a Blank Cheque
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

NO immediate action is being taken bt the Federation of Yorkshire Road Transport Employers to implement its Council's recommendation that, in view of delays in consummation of the Perry scheme for the merging of road-transport operators' associations, the Federation should strike out on its own in a propaganda drive to increase its membership.

A general meeting of Federation members, held in Leeds on September 27, decided that, " with a view to continuing to assist the merger," the question of .launching such a campaign be deferred until January 1, 1945, but that if the merger has not been completed by that date, the suggested membership drive shall proceed without delay. The resolution was adopted almost unanimously.

In addition 'to the deferment proviso, the resolution contained a clause arising from a complaint of lack of information as to the financial aspects of the merger scheme. This clause instructed the Federation's manager and secretary, Mr. Harry Clark, to take steps to obtain certain financial particulars which the Federation was stated to have asked for in May last year. Giving reasons for the Council's recommendation in favour of an immediate membership drive by the Federation, Mr. Frank Thompson (Leeds), the chairman, said they felt that associations' propaganda work to increase membership among operators had been held up to a very serious extent through the persistent delays in consummation of the merger scheme.

Stressing that the Council still wanted a merger, on equitable conditions, Mr. Thompson argued that the suggested membership drive by the Federation was not inconsistent with the' merger aim. If. the merger materialized, the new °organization would have the benefit of any additional membership which resulted. On the other hand, if the merger scheme did not come to fruition the Federation would have avoided further loss of time in waiting for it and would have strengthened its position as a Yorkshire organization.

Mr. H. Woodhead (Queensbury) took the view that they should endeavour to strengthen the Federation's position irrespective of merger possibilities, but he did not favour the proposlis for a "C "-operators' section. Mrs. Borrowdale (Leeds), sup

porting deferment of the campaign suggestion, said that if it were launched at the 'present juncture it would be -handicapped by uncertainty

concerning the merger scheme. To have to explain to potential members that after they had joined the. Federation they Might find themselves incorporated in another organization would riot help recruitment.

With reference to merger difficulties, it was stated in discussion that they chiefly concerned financial matters. Opposition was said to have been aroused among operators by Jack of information on such matters as the proposed salaries and terms of employment of officials, the criticism having been voiced that association members were being asked to sign a blank cheque by supporting the merger without adequate information as to how their money was to be spent.

Speaking of the Yorkshire Federation's position in the matter, Mr. Thompson said that, whilst their . organization had agreed to participate in the merger on equitable conditions, he took it that they would not accept such a " blank cheque" procedure as had been indicated.


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